Alternative News Outlets Focus on Filling Gaps in Traditional Media

News today is delivered on many platforms, including in non-traditional formats known as alternative news outlets.

Robert Zullo, editor of the Virginia Mercury, and Jonathan Spiers, senior reporter and assistant editor at Richmond BizSense, shared insights with VPC members about the alternative news outlets they work for.

“We try to delve deeper into topics that other outlets cover at the highest level,” Zullo said. “We have found that there is a readership for explanatory journalism, and with those stories there is a longer shelf life than just the news of the day.”

For BizSense, the focus in on insider business info — everything from property transfers to the latest brewery opening to higher education operations.

“Our focus is the business news of the day,” Spiers said.

The circulation of these publications does not rival more traditional media, and it’s not meant to. Both of these sources rely on dedicated, loyal followers, most of whom get their news first from the outlets e-newsletters.

“Email is really our driver and the starting point for most readers, who then come to our website and discover other stories of interest to them,” Spiers said. “We don’t try to compete in the same way as the paper of record. When you have a niche and your small you don’t try to be all things to all readers.”