The Abridged version:
- Abridged readers are encouraged to provide story ideas, feedback
- Periodic surveys and events will solicit reader views
As Abridged begins to provide local news to the Sacramento region on Sept. 16, it will do so with community input.
Reporters and contributors will work their beats by talking to sources and reviewing documents during the workday. They will learn from the community while they live their lives on weekends and off hours. They will draw knowledge from friends, family, neighbors and associates during their kids’ soccer games, at their favorite restaurant, at book club, at church or at the gym.
But they also will have ongoing community input through a variety of means Abridged has already begun using.
Reader surveys — Ryan Lillis, the Associate General Manager for News at PBS KVIE, described in his opening story how surveys and focus groups helped frame the news approach of Abridged. A survey of people throughout the four-county region revealed gaps in coverage — areas of opportunity for our audience. Follow-up focus groups allowed Abridged to drill down on specific points.
When abridged.org went live last month, some who signed up for email newsletters were given the opportunity to weigh in on potential news coverage. What’s a story you wish someone would tell about your community? Where do you usually get your news? Those responses generated real story ideas that will be pursued. If you didn’t get a chance, here’s a link. Expect more survey opportunities in the months ahead.
Community events — PBS KVIE has always served the Greater Sacramento region with its broadcast programming and a robust schedule of community events open to the public. Abridged has held two community events — in Del Paso Heights and Oak Park. Part of the aim was to connect with the community and explain the news mission at Abridged. But those who attended came loaded with lots of story ideas, and engaged in deep conversations with the news staff. These events will continue, both at locations across the region and at the PBS KVIE newsroom. The next is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at Jackrabbit Brewing Co. in West Sacramento.
Email — Old fashioned email is the fastest way to bring a coverage idea to the Abridged news staff. Contact the general email box at abridged@kvie.org. Also, staff reporters will list their email addresses by their byline at the beginning of each story.
Dan Smith is News Editor at Abridged.