WAN-IFRA: Would you say that hyperlocal is the future and if so why?
Bart BROUWERS: Hyperlocal is the past, the present and the future of journalism. Reporting about what's close to you always gives the best results for your audience. 

WAN-IFRA: What are the keys to success in hyperlocal projects?
BB:  Credibility, authenticity and the ability to mix fine journalism and an engaging audience with sustainable business models.

WAN-IFRA: What local or hyperlocal initiatives have attracted your attention recently and why?
BB: Patch of course, because of the gigantic ambition and the willingness to spend money on a hyperlocal project in an unprecedented way.
But also the recent initiative called http://authenticallylocal.com/, almost in every way the opposite of Patch. I try to combine the best of both worlds. Building a corporate, scalable hyperlocal news platform doesn't need to say that you are not authentic. If you always hire local people and allow differences between the sites within your network, you can still be local in every way.
My video: http://youtu.be/ZxoOhfD0aVI

Bart will be in Paris on 27 & 28 June, as speaker, for the 6th Summer University.
www.wan-ifra.org/summeruniversity2011

Interview by David SALLINEN, Training Manager WAN-IFRA, France.