David Harte
Birmingham City University, Birmingham School of Media, Faculty Member
- Dave Harte is a Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes... moreDave Harte is a Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Social Media and Journalism Studies. He was the award leader for the MA in Social Media at Birmingham City University from 2009 until 2017.
He has published widely on the role of UK community news operations and their role in contributing to news ecologies. From 2012 until 2015 he was co-investigator on the AHRC and EPSRC funded project ‘Media, Community and the Creative Citizen‘ where he led a research strand investigating the scale and value of Hyperlocal news websites. His work on this has been published by Ofcom to support their understanding of this emerging sector.
For many years prior to this he worked closely with Birmingham’s vibrant digital media sector acting as a link between the public sector and the business community. In the mid-2000s he worked with the regional development agency for the West Midlands on their business clusters strategy, subsequently managing a major business support project on their behalf.
Dave has worked with Birmingham City Council as Economic Development Manager for Digital Birmingham where he championed the use of social media and digital tools to the city leaders and the business community.
Dave blogs at daveharte.com and runs his own hyperlocal news website for Bournville.edit
Castle Vale is an edge of city, 1960s-built, housing estate in Birmingham that has historically suffered from a poor reputation for crime and social problems. A regeneration initiative in the 1990s sought to address this and community... more
Castle Vale is an edge of city, 1960s-built, housing estate
in Birmingham that has historically suffered from a poor
reputation for crime and social problems. A regeneration
initiative in the 1990s sought to address this and community
media (consisting of a radio station, newspaper and news
website) were funded on a not-for-profit basis to help improve
the estate’s reputation. Whilst much research has focused on
the civic value of this type of ‘hyperlocal’ media, the outputs
of the media in Castle Vale have been contested by citizens.
This case study, which draws on interviews and workshops
undertaken with media practitioners and citizens, reveals
the ways in which assumptions about the democratising
functions of such media come up against the tensions over
representation that exist between readers and producers.
The research here forms part of a UK Research Council funded
project into the role of local community media as an aspect
of ‘Creative Citizenship’.
in Birmingham that has historically suffered from a poor
reputation for crime and social problems. A regeneration
initiative in the 1990s sought to address this and community
media (consisting of a radio station, newspaper and news
website) were funded on a not-for-profit basis to help improve
the estate’s reputation. Whilst much research has focused on
the civic value of this type of ‘hyperlocal’ media, the outputs
of the media in Castle Vale have been contested by citizens.
This case study, which draws on interviews and workshops
undertaken with media practitioners and citizens, reveals
the ways in which assumptions about the democratising
functions of such media come up against the tensions over
representation that exist between readers and producers.
The research here forms part of a UK Research Council funded
project into the role of local community media as an aspect
of ‘Creative Citizenship’.
Research Interests:
The public interest value of news is often viewed through the prism of its relationship to democracy. In this respect news should act as: a source of accurate and plural information for citizens; a watchdog on elites; a mediator and/or... more
The public interest value of news is often viewed through the prism of its relationship to democracy. In this respect news should act as: a source of accurate and plural information for citizens; a watchdog on elites; a mediator and/or representative of communities; and as an advocate of the public in campaigning terms. All of these roles are under pressure in the United Kingdom’s commercial local news sector. This has led many to speculate, often without evidence, that the output of a new generation of (mainly online) hyperlocal citizen news producers might (at least partially) play some of these roles. To test this assumption, we com- pleted 34 semi-structured interviews with producers, the largest content analysis to date of UK hyperlocal news content (1941 posts on 313 sites), and the largest ever survey of UK commu- nity news practitioners (183 responses). We found that these sites produce a good deal of news about community activities, local politics, civic life and local business. Official news sources get a strong platform, but the public (local citizens, community groups) get more of a say than in much mainstream local news. Although there was little balanced coverage in the traditional sense, many community journalists have developed alternative strategies to foster and inform plural debate around contentious local issues. The majority of hyperlocal news producers cover community campaigns and a significant minority have initiated their own. We also found that critical public-interest investigations are carried out by a (surprisingly) large number of community news producers.
Research Interests:
Given that ‘hyperlocal’ publishing on the Internet is now attracting the attention of policymakers (Ofcom 2012), investors (Radcliffe 2012) and researchers (such as Metzgar et al. 2011) it seems timely to assess the scale of activity of... more
Given that ‘hyperlocal’ publishing on the Internet is now attracting the attention of policymakers (Ofcom 2012), investors (Radcliffe 2012) and researchers (such as Metzgar et al. 2011) it seems timely to assess the scale of activity of this emerging sector in the UK. This paper reports on research completed as part of the ‘Media, Community and the Creative Citizen’ project on behalf of the UK communications regulator Ofcom and outlines the number of active hyperlocal websites and the volume and frequency of stories they produce. Such websites are, by and large, independent of mainstream media organisations and their intended audience is from a specific, often small, geographic area.
The paper reflects on issues in developing a clear definition of what constitutes a hyperlocal website and in conclusion finds that whilst the challenge they pose to the local press might be overstated, their collective output and continued growth is of a scale that warrants continued interest from regulators concerned about the plurality of news sources that citizens are exposed to in their localities. The research goes some way towards identifying a clear baseline against which the further growth of the dynamic
nature of this emerging sector can be measured.
The paper reflects on issues in developing a clear definition of what constitutes a hyperlocal website and in conclusion finds that whilst the challenge they pose to the local press might be overstated, their collective output and continued growth is of a scale that warrants continued interest from regulators concerned about the plurality of news sources that citizens are exposed to in their localities. The research goes some way towards identifying a clear baseline against which the further growth of the dynamic
nature of this emerging sector can be measured.
Research Interests:
The uptake of clusters as a model with which to develop regional economies has been variable since the UK government first issued advice to regional development agencies in the late 1990s. The West Midlands made clusters one of its key... more
The uptake of clusters as a model with which to develop regional economies has been variable since the UK government first issued advice to regional development agencies in the late 1990s. The West Midlands made clusters one of its key strategies for economic growth and nominated the audio-visual sector as an embryonic cluster in order to help support its development. This article examines the development of this cluster from its inception and identifies issues in the way it was conceived and the roles played by the regional development agency, industry and higher education. The author draws on government and regional policies, cluster strategies and other internal documentation produced for the cluster, as well his own experience as an innovation manager for the cluster.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The decline of the mainstream local news is well charted and understood. But in recent years a new generation of community-oriented, predominantly digital, news outlets, often called hyperlocal news (Bruns 2011, Metzgar et al 2011), have... more
The decline of the mainstream local news is well charted and understood. But in recent years a new generation of community-oriented, predominantly digital, news outlets, often called hyperlocal news (Bruns 2011, Metzgar et al 2011), have begun to attract attention from academics (Jones and Salter 2012, Thurman et al 2011) policy makers (Department for Culture Media and Sport 2009), regulators (OFCOM 2012), and investors (Nesta 2012, Radcliffe 2012). Such news is written by a variety of social actors (community activists, alternative journalists, former or aspiring professional news journalists), for many overlapping reasons (civic, public service, commercial, campaigning, etc). It has been seen as an oppositional media form that can be critical of local institutions including local government and mainstream news (Harte 2013), and one whose informal, participatory, bottom-up nature may de-centre or undermine more established professional players (Cushion 2012, Hartley 2009). Others have aimed to understand whether and in what ways, hyperlocal news might contribute to the democratic roles previously played by (or at least attributed to) declining local commercial news (Williams et al 2013). This chapter will provide an overview of recent research into this emergent cultural form to outline its nature and sustainability, as well as the roles it plays in relation to citizenship, democracy, participation and local community life.
Research Interests:
This chapter outlines the approach taken in developing new learning resources to support Media Studies students who wish to make better use of social media as a professional networking tool. Academic staff and students at Birmingham City... more
This chapter outlines the approach taken in developing new learning resources to support Media Studies students who wish to make better use of social media as a professional networking tool. Academic staff and students at Birmingham City University’s School of Media collaborated on a project which culminated in the creation of a website offering guidance on social media use (socialmediatutorials.co.uk). Through qualitative and quantitative research we discovered how Media students were using social media in a professional context to develop a network of contacts useful in their future career. The project has been carried out over two academic years; the first year concentrated on the research phase whilst the second has focussed on the creation of a set of openly accessible learning resources. A postgraduate student studying Social Media was recruited to collaborate with lecturers on the research phase and a larger group of both New Media and Television undergraduate students were identified to help build the resources. The chapter draws on the experiences of all involved and finds that students were motivated to participate in the projects by a desire to enhance their own professional profile, to engage with lecturers outside of the context of assessment and by the nature of the subject matter itself – a desire to better understand their own and their peers’ use of social media. This chapter draws together reflections from the academic staff and students involved. Written testimonies were sought from the students (four in total) and are quoted here.
Research Interests:
Special Issue: Creative Citizens Conference
Research Interests:
Since the early 2000s, a largely Internet-based network of independent news operations has emerged focused on small geographic areas in the UK, often run by non-professional journalists. ‘Hyperlocal’ journalism seems to have captured the... more
Since the early 2000s, a largely Internet-based network of independent news operations has emerged focused on small geographic areas in the UK, often run by non-professional journalists. ‘Hyperlocal’ journalism seems to have captured the imagination of academics and policy-makers, with some arguing that it has the potential to fill the democratic deficit caused by the decline of mainstream local newspapers. Attention has largely focused on the journalistic values of these websites rather than their wider cultural value, with relatively little recourse to primary research in the UK context. This thesis addresses both of those aspects by drawing on a range of data: a large-scale overview of the sector, three case study accounts of hyperlocal news operations, and an analysis of interviews with practitioners. The research finds that hyperlocal news operations are spread across the UK and collectively produce an impressive number of news stories. In that sense, they play a useful role in local news ecologies and their independence marks them out as an alternative to an increasingly consolidated mainstream local news sector. Hyperlocal news operations are gaining legitimacy through engagement with audiences on social media and through recognition by other news media. The thesis also finds that the hyperlocal journalist is often motivated by a desire to redress mainstream media’s representation of their locality or by a single campaign issue. Hyperlocal journalists traverse both the digital ‘beat’ and the real-world ‘beat’, using reciprocal journalism practices in order to build a community around their service. However, many services are precariously placed as the journalists exploit their own labour and avoid engaging fully with issues of economic sustainability. Taking a case study approach, the thesis explores the working practices and environments of three hyperlocal news operations in detail, including looking at audience engagement. It finds further evidence of these issues of precarity, making the potential of sustaining hyperlocal operations difficult. However, the case study accounts also highlight the value of focusing on everyday aspects of community life and how that can help build audiences and enable citizens to become participants in content creation and distribution. Finally, the thesis argues that hyperlocal can play a more vital role in the UK’s local news landscape should the right conditions be created by policy-makers to create a more level regulatory playing-field.
Research Interests:
This paper draws on research into participatory community journalism undertaken on the Castle Vale estate in East Birmingham. ‘The Vale’ as it is known locally has been the subject of significant urban regeneration initiatives since the... more
This paper draws on research into participatory community journalism undertaken on the Castle Vale estate in East Birmingham. ‘The Vale’ as it is known locally has been the subject of significant urban regeneration initiatives since the early 90s, the area having by then gained an externally-imposed “negative reputational geography” (Parker and Karner 2011:309). Such a reputation has impacted the degree to which local residents feel community media should represent the ‘real’ Castle Vale or a more idealised, ‘human interest’ version of life on the estate.
Community Media in Castle Vale has long played a role in addressing external perceptions through the funding of a community radio station, hyperlocal news website and a newspaper; yet its output remains a contested site of representational struggle. Such media are often identified as playing an important role in offering news content that is “grounded in local, hermeneutic knowledge,” (Jones and Salter 2012: 96) and research has focused on the civic value of hyperlocal media (Metzgar et al. 2011, Kurpius 2010) with claims made about its ability to “make a distinctive contribution to local social capital, cohesion and civic involvement” (Flouch and Harris 2010: 6). Drawing on research workshops and a co-created journalism project involving residents and the community media organisation, the paper reveals ways in which assumptions about the democratising function of such media come up against the tensions over representation that exist between readers and producers of media texts. The chapter offers a critical account of how researchers and archivists need to shed light on the ways citizens seek to shape histories of place in the light of sensitivities about reputation of place.
Community Media in Castle Vale has long played a role in addressing external perceptions through the funding of a community radio station, hyperlocal news website and a newspaper; yet its output remains a contested site of representational struggle. Such media are often identified as playing an important role in offering news content that is “grounded in local, hermeneutic knowledge,” (Jones and Salter 2012: 96) and research has focused on the civic value of hyperlocal media (Metzgar et al. 2011, Kurpius 2010) with claims made about its ability to “make a distinctive contribution to local social capital, cohesion and civic involvement” (Flouch and Harris 2010: 6). Drawing on research workshops and a co-created journalism project involving residents and the community media organisation, the paper reveals ways in which assumptions about the democratising function of such media come up against the tensions over representation that exist between readers and producers of media texts. The chapter offers a critical account of how researchers and archivists need to shed light on the ways citizens seek to shape histories of place in the light of sensitivities about reputation of place.
Research Interests:
In recent years much attention has been given to an emerging tier of community news websites, dubbed ‘hyperlocal media operations’ (Metzgar et al., 2011). Policy-makers (Ofcom, 2012) and investors (Radcliffe, 2012) both frame hyperlocal... more
In recent years much attention has been given to an emerging tier of community news websites, dubbed ‘hyperlocal media operations’ (Metzgar et al., 2011). Policy-makers (Ofcom, 2012) and investors (Radcliffe, 2012) both frame hyperlocal as a ‘solution’ to the decline of local news coverage in mainstream media yet although the role and value of citizen journalism is well discussed by community media historians (Atton, 2004) there is relatively little attention given to hyperlocal as a distinct emerging practice.
Given the role the decline of the press may have on the public sphere (Siles and Boczkowski, 2012) and the potential pressure this places on hyperlocal online news publishers to “fill the gaps” (Metzgar et al., 2011), it is timely to consider the relationship between those who run hyperlocals and the communities they serve.
This paper explores issues around audience reception of two hyperlocal publishers in the West Midlands, UK, with contrasting communities, backgrounds and working practices. Interviews with the hyperlocal producers explores their working practices, perceived role within their community, and methods of engagement. Workshops with citizens from those communities then explored their experiences of local news media. Issues of visibility, perception, and trust were evident and the paper explores the potential for communities of ‘produsers’ (Bruns, 2005) to be encouraged and developed.
The research forms part of a 30 month Research Council funded project, ‘Media Community and the Creative Citizen’, investigating the role of the creative economy in connected communities.
Given the role the decline of the press may have on the public sphere (Siles and Boczkowski, 2012) and the potential pressure this places on hyperlocal online news publishers to “fill the gaps” (Metzgar et al., 2011), it is timely to consider the relationship between those who run hyperlocals and the communities they serve.
This paper explores issues around audience reception of two hyperlocal publishers in the West Midlands, UK, with contrasting communities, backgrounds and working practices. Interviews with the hyperlocal producers explores their working practices, perceived role within their community, and methods of engagement. Workshops with citizens from those communities then explored their experiences of local news media. Issues of visibility, perception, and trust were evident and the paper explores the potential for communities of ‘produsers’ (Bruns, 2005) to be encouraged and developed.
The research forms part of a 30 month Research Council funded project, ‘Media Community and the Creative Citizen’, investigating the role of the creative economy in connected communities.
Research Interests:
Given the newspaper industry’s trend towards closure and retrenchment of their local and regional press titles and the subsequent concerns about the impact this may have on the public sphere (Siles and Boczkowski 2012), it is perhaps... more
Given the newspaper industry’s trend towards closure and retrenchment of their local and regional press titles and the subsequent concerns about the impact this may have on the public sphere (Siles and Boczkowski 2012), it is perhaps understandable that policy-makers and commentators have shifted their gaze to the role of hyperlocal online news services and the “role that these services are likely to play in the local media ecosystem” (Ofcom 2012: 111). This paper examines aspects of the practices of those who run hyperlocal websites and understands them in the context of debates around digital labour (Scholz 2013) and everyday activism (Pink 2012). It draws on interviews with hyperlocal producers and findings from a content analysis of 1941 stories published on 313 hyperlocal sites over a period of 11 days in May 2012. The paper examines publishing practices related to photography rights management, or lack thereof, and identifies how hyperlocal websites, through their practice, situate themselves outside of the existing political economy of media organisations. The paper describes a landscape whereby the technologies and means exist for hyperlocal media to play into its perceived role as “a range of journalism acting in the public good and engagement facilitated through interactive media” (Metzgar et al. 2011: 772), but this is not necessarily mirrored in our content analysis. The research forms part of a 30 month Research Council funded project, ‘Media Community and the Creative Citizen’, investigating the role of the Creative Economy in Connected Communities.
Research Interests:
Given that ‘Hyperlocal’ publishing on the Internet is now attracting the attention of policy-makers (Ofcom 2012), investors (Nesta 2012) and researchers (such as Kurpius et al 2011), Emily T. Metzgar & Karen M. Rowley, it seems timely to... more
Given that ‘Hyperlocal’ publishing on the Internet is now attracting the attention of policy-makers (Ofcom 2012), investors (Nesta 2012) and researchers (such as Kurpius et al 2011), Emily T. Metzgar & Karen M. Rowley, it seems timely to assess the scale of such websites in the UK. This paper reports on research completed as part of the ‘Media, Community and the Creative Citizen’ project on behalf of Ofcom. This study uses existing data that identifies websites that are, by and large, independent of mainstream media organisations and whose intended audience is from a specific, often small, geographic area. It outlines the number of active Hyperlocal websites and the volume of stories they produce. It finds that whilst the challenge they pose to the local press might be overstated, their collective output, and continued growth, is of a scale that warrants further research. The research concludes that the dynamic nature of this emerging sector makes it difficult to identify a clear baseline upon which to measure.
As one of the three major projects funded by the AHRC under their Connected Communities and the Creative Economy strand, the ‘Media, Community and the Creative Citizen’ project is utilising a range of research methods to better understand the potential value of the acts of creative citizenship which lie at the heart of hyperlocal news. To date a range of research methods have been utilised such as content analysis, interviews and focus groups. This paper also reflects on the value of those methods, describes planned future methods and outlines some early findings from the project.
As one of the three major projects funded by the AHRC under their Connected Communities and the Creative Economy strand, the ‘Media, Community and the Creative Citizen’ project is utilising a range of research methods to better understand the potential value of the acts of creative citizenship which lie at the heart of hyperlocal news. To date a range of research methods have been utilised such as content analysis, interviews and focus groups. This paper also reflects on the value of those methods, describes planned future methods and outlines some early findings from the project.
Research Interests:
This report is the result of a collaboration between two different AHRC-funded projects: the Media, Community and the Creative Citizen project, based at Cardiff and Birmingham City Universities; and the Media Power and Plurality project,... more
This report is the result of a collaboration between two different AHRC-funded projects: the Media, Community and the Creative Citizen project, based at Cardiff and Birmingham City Universities; and the Media Power and Plurality project, based at the University of Westminster. Although not originally planned as a joint enterprise, our combined resources have enabled us to produce the most comprehensive empirical analysis to date of the current practices, funding, staffing and outlooks of those who run hyperlocal sites.
Both projects will be producing more academic papers, citing the data here and exploring their implications in greater detail. We felt it important, however, given the volume and significance of original data, to provide a descriptive account of our findings. This report is therefore intended as an open access version available to practitioners, researchers and policy makers which we hope will help to inform policy debates alongside the more scholarly papers which will follow.
Both projects will be producing more academic papers, citing the data here and exploring their implications in greater detail. We felt it important, however, given the volume and significance of original data, to provide a descriptive account of our findings. This report is therefore intended as an open access version available to practitioners, researchers and policy makers which we hope will help to inform policy debates alongside the more scholarly papers which will follow.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Report into how Birmingham City Council engages with citizens. I was asked to present to the committee (on 22nd October 2013) about the value of hyperlocal publishing within Birmingham. Cited on pages 26 and 46. Full evidence... more
Report into how Birmingham City Council engages with citizens. I was asked to present to the committee (on 22nd October 2013) about the value of hyperlocal publishing within Birmingham.
Cited on pages 26 and 46. Full evidence submission is in a supplementary evidence pack (p210 - http://bit.ly/1uqf7zk)
Cited on pages 26 and 46. Full evidence submission is in a supplementary evidence pack (p210 - http://bit.ly/1uqf7zk)
Research Interests:
[Cites my 2012 blog post about analysis of hyperlocal sites, the Creative Citizens project, and also the report co-authored with William, Barnett, Townend - I am erroneously left off the author list. See endnotes 7, 9 & 12 on page 18]... more
[Cites my 2012 blog post about analysis of hyperlocal sites, the Creative Citizens project, and also the report co-authored with William, Barnett, Townend - I am erroneously left off the author list. See endnotes 7, 9 & 12 on page 18]
Over the past two years the Carnegie UK Trust’s Neighbourhood News initiative has supported five leading local news projects with £10,000 each to deliver community news in new and innovative ways. The Trust’s new policy summary draws on key findings from Neighbourhood News and sets out a new agenda for the future of local news in the UK. The policy summary provides 11 recommendations for how government, regulators, funders and other local news providers can support community-led local news.
Over the past two years the Carnegie UK Trust’s Neighbourhood News initiative has supported five leading local news projects with £10,000 each to deliver community news in new and innovative ways. The Trust’s new policy summary draws on key findings from Neighbourhood News and sets out a new agenda for the future of local news in the UK. The policy summary provides 11 recommendations for how government, regulators, funders and other local news providers can support community-led local news.
Research Interests:
[Section 6.3 (p51) examines hyperlocal media and draws on my primary research, a report and a journal article. The primary research was commissioned from me by Ofcom directly for this report] Ofcom’s role in furthering the interests... more
[Section 6.3 (p51) examines hyperlocal media and draws on my primary research, a report and a journal article. The primary research was commissioned from me by Ofcom directly for this report]
Ofcom’s role in furthering the interests of citizens includes seeking to ensure that people have access to the services and content they need in order to participate fully in society. This report provides an overview of people’s online use of such services and content in a range of citizen-orientated areas.
Ofcom’s role in furthering the interests of citizens includes seeking to ensure that people have access to the services and content they need in order to participate fully in society. This report provides an overview of people’s online use of such services and content in a range of citizen-orientated areas.
Research Interests:
Op Ed piece for The Guardian: 'Hyperlocal journalism isn't new, but it deserves our continued attention as a large and growing part of the UK media landscape, according to Dave Harte'
Research Interests:
[Section 5.4 draws on my research into the scale of hyperlocal publishing in the UK. Cites research paper on page 34] This report provides an overview of metrics relating to UK adults’ online participation in citizen-orientated content... more
[Section 5.4 draws on my research into the scale of hyperlocal publishing in the UK. Cites research paper on page 34]
This report provides an overview of metrics relating to UK adults’ online participation in citizen-orientated content and services; in other words, those elements of online activity which further societal or democratic participation.
This report provides an overview of metrics relating to UK adults’ online participation in citizen-orientated content and services; in other words, those elements of online activity which further societal or democratic participation.
Research Interests:
Article that draws on my research into the volume of hyperlocal websites published in the UK.
Research Interests:
[Section 1.9 (p103) draws on data analysis of the UK hyperlocal network produced by myself (cited as 'Birmingham City University')] Ofcom’s ninth annual Communications Market Report. The report contains statistics and analysis of the... more
[Section 1.9 (p103) draws on data analysis of the UK hyperlocal network produced by myself (cited as 'Birmingham City University')]
Ofcom’s ninth annual Communications Market Report. The report contains statistics and analysis of the UK communications sector and is a reference for industry, stakeholders, and consumers. The report also provides context to the work that Ofcom undertakes in furthering the interests of consumers and citizens in the markets we regulate.
Ofcom’s ninth annual Communications Market Report. The report contains statistics and analysis of the UK communications sector and is a reference for industry, stakeholders, and consumers. The report also provides context to the work that Ofcom undertakes in furthering the interests of consumers and citizens in the markets we regulate.