Local news has been battered over the past two decades. The rise of the internet shredded some of the long-held monopolies of newspapers and local TV

OMG is a new startup in Canada that aims to solve the problem of local news.

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2021-05-20 15:08:54

Local news has been battered over the past two decades. The rise of the internet shredded some of the long-held monopolies of newspapers and local TV stations on news and classified ads, while social networks like Facebook, Nextdoor, and Citizen have increasingly pulled in reader attention for neighborhood updates. Newspapers have closed, journalists have been decimated, and there are increasing numbers of “news deserts” with no coverage whatsoever.

At the same time, there is a creator revolution underway right now in online media. Audience development, community, and subscription are coming together in fresh ways that seem particularly opportune for local journalism today. Will these new sets of tools finally allow for the rebuilding of local journalism after the last era of hollowing out?

Overstory Media Group (which goes by the expressive OMG) believes precisely that the software tools and business models have been honed to dramatically change the equation for local news. Co-founded and led by Farhan Mohamed, who was formerly editor-in-chief of Vancouver-focused news site Daily Hive, the company operates 10 local news brands and has hired 30 full-time employees as it creates a sustainable and dare I say profitable approach to local media.