February 05, 2010 –
The OCCLN team sees their online news site Hiperwall-sized.
One day after launching an online news site, members of the Orange County Local News Network (www.oclnn.com) paid a visit to CALIT2 to learn more about the institute’s work.
Barbara Bry, OCLNN associate producer and executive editor, and Mike Reicher, OCLNN business and technology editor, spent a couple hours touring labs and talking with researchers. The news group wants to become “the premiere place for all things OC.” The online site partners with the Los Angeles Times and its three Orange County community-based newspapers – Newport-Costa Mesa Daily Pilot, Huntington Beach Independent and Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot.
This is the third news network that Bry has helped develop in Southern California. She and her husband launched the San Diego News Network a year ago, followed by the Southwest Riverside News Network. Their plan is to develop a nationwide network of sites tailored to each location’s community needs and interests.
“Our goal is to give you what you need or want when you need or want it,” Bry says.
In addition to a four person start-up editorial staff, the OCLNN will rely on contributions from freelance writers and their partner news organizations. As the site builds out, they are hoping to find some UCI experts who can contribute op-ed type columns or blog about their interests.
“We see Irvine as being a valuable source for intellectual capital,” she adds.
–by Shellie Nazarenus, CALIT2
