May 25, 2007

Native news service planned

Bringing the Global Market to Native LandsAt the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, a group of college entrepreneurs are preparing to enter the global market by launching an American Indian news service—and without ever having to step foot off the reservation.

“You don’t need to leave the reservation to have global or regional impact because of the technology,” says Glorianna Cordova, a founding member of the new Red Wire news service. Cordova, who along with her four business partners, attends Oglala Lakota College in Pine Ridge, where she is studying digital video and new media production.

If they are successful in executing their business plan, Red Wire will provide subscribers from around the world an Internet-based source of news by and about American Indians. After decades of being defined by the mainstream media’s view of what is news in Indian Country, Cordova and her classmates are convinced they have found a niche by adding a Native perspective.
Comment:  Newspapers such as Indian Country Today, the Native Times, and the Native Voice already are trying to provide national news from a Native perspective. So are websites such as Indianz.com and PECHANGA.net. How will this news service be different?

From what I've heard, ICT is struggling rather than flourishing, even though it's owned by the deep-pockets Oneida Nation. Therefore, I have to wonder if Red Wire's subscription model will work. I'd read the business plan carefully before I bet any money on it.

That said, any news service is to be applauded for trying to increase the flow of Native news. We may reach a point where the need for such news is satisfied, but we're not there yet.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You are dead on in your assessment, Rob. This idea, while worthy, will face a tough uphill battle. The truth is, blogs are supplanting much of traditional media, not only in Indian country but throughout the mainstream media as well.

Why? Cause they're dynamic, free, accessible...and free. free. free.