Queensland Decides
As part of the overall research project we’re involved in, we’ve set up a hyperlocal citizen journalism site for Queensland’s local government elections.
As well as the existing partnership of us at QUT CIF, On Line Opinion, SBS, Cisco and the Brisbane Institute, we have the Local Government Association of Queensland on board.
There are already a lot of contributions there, and we’re looking forward enormously to the next two weeks. If you are from Queensland, and have anything to submit, you can email it directly to me at j5 dot wilson at qut dot edu dot au. (we decided to simplify the submission procedures we used on youdecide2007.)
Maybe the best thing about it for me so far has been discovering some very strong local blogs in regional Queensland, where communities are often desperately short of media diversity. (Trust me on this - I grew up in Townsville)
Come and see our site, but then proceed immediately to Cairnsblog, which keeps an eye on things in the Far North, and Strewth! which does the same on the Fraser Coast. Both blogs have raised the hackles of local media and politicians alike - a sure sign that they’re doing a good job.
Hyperlocal never looked so necessary.
Just to let you know, as previously stated elsewhere, Strewth! the site keeping Fraser Coast residents informed on local council issues and candidates has disappeared. The local paper found this so amusing they plastered not only front page but 4 other pages inside with stories on its demise. Was a shame several individuals put their heads together, recovered much of the old site through google’s cache and reposted it all.
Another has actually gone as far as recreating the original as closely as possible and it can be found at bringbackstrewth.wordpress.com
Freedom of information is live and well!