I have been researching alternative online newspapers and, having grown
up in Greenwich and with family still there, I came across Greenwich
Roundup. I'm impressed with your product.
I would like to launch an online newspaper in my New Hampshire town
because the semi-weekly print paper here is terrible. I was wondering if
you would share some of your experience with me. For example, I notice
that you use stories from other newspapers, e.g., CT Post. Do you need
to obtain permission to use their articles? Did you need to incorporate
or form an LLC to provide liability protection? Any other suggestions
would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Frank Ferraro
GHS '66
Comment:
Dear Frank,
Congratulations on your desire to become a citizen journalist and add another voice to your town. You do not need to get permission to use headlines and snippets of content from other news web sites, because these news links are considered fair use under the current copyright laws.
I personally did not form a corporation or LLC, even though this is probably a good idea.
The only suggestion I have is just to start blogging the word will quickly get out in your town about the availability of another news source. People are hungry for hyper local news reporting and will respond to your efforts.
Currently Greenwich Roundup gets between 1,600 and 2,400 unique visitors per day and this is in a town of only 60,000 persons.
Yesterday we had 1,158 unique visitors.
Here at Greenwich Roundup we wish you all the best in your new career as a citizen journalist.
