Local papers: citizen reporters are becoming increasingly popular

The newspaper draws on the resources of the citizen reporter portal Myheimat.de back. Here, everyone can report on "what is happening on their doorstep".

"We don't see any danger of the newspaper degenerating into a collective blog as a result of content from citizen reporters," says Myheimat Managing Director Martin Huber when asked by Pressetext. "On the contrary, the articles can be a crucial addition to serious journalism in the regional and local area." In the case of sensitive topics with factual relevance, journalistic quality in citizen reporter reports can only be ensured with further verification. In most cases, however, the articles thrive on personal perspectives, subjectivity and the author's direct connection to the topic.

Payment not a priority

The Hamburger Abendblatt has put together its own team of bloggers for more intensive local reporting. However, the reporters are only paid if their articles are published after editorial review. Myheimat does not pay for the articles it publishes. For the authors, monetary motivation is not a priority, says Huber in an interview with Pressetext. Rather, prompt and quick feedback from readers and a high reach are the top priorities.

The Munich Evening Newspaper sees the cooperation with Myheimat and the citizen reporters as "a supplement and a tool for entering into a conversation with readers at eye level". However, the idea of using occasional reporting by amateur authors in a mass medium is not new. The Waldeckische Landeszeitung with the Frankenberger Zeitung, the local papers of the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung and the Neue Presse Hannover, the Oberhessische Presse, the Naumburger Tageblatt, the Peiner Allgemeine Zeitung and the Hannoversche Wochenblatt all make use of the content on Myheimat alone