The Chicago Tribune has recently launched a new website called TRIB Local designed specifically for Chicago’s residents who want to contribute to the paper. In a bid to stay relevant in today’s increasingly digital world many daily newspapers have had to include user-generated content (UGC) and community journalism, the move by the Chicago Tribune signals it’s ready to accept this reality.

TRIB Local will let Internet users write and submit stories from their neigborhoods. The website also
encourages users to upload images and other content they feel is relevant to others living in the greater
Chicago area. Although most of the content gathered on this new website will stay on the website the website does explain this content may show up in the weekly print edition delivered every Thursday with the Tribune.

The Chicago Tribune has been one of America’s most respected print news outlets for many years. With the
shift to openly encouraging UGC and even building a website specifically designed to be an aggregate for
local UGC, it is likely more papers who haven’t done so already will follow suit.

As daily papers continue to face hard times financially, online community journalism offers two valuable and distinct advantages. First, the content is almost free, no wages are paid on the gathering or writing of the news. And secondly, it creates a buzz around the paper and gives those who contribute a sense of ownership. Traditional newspapers are hoping this will be enough to ensure advertising and sales revenue remains constant and keeps the paper in hard copy.