Indico News

For several years, Indiconews.com puts its readers at the heart of reporting and reading news online.
Content is from the site's 2008 archived pages.

About indiconews

What is indiconews.com?

Indiconews.com puts you, the citizen at the heart of reporting and reading news online.

As both reader and reporter, you are empowered to present your community news experience to a global audience, no matter where you are.

Why should I get involved?

Everyone has a story - from a missing cat to natural disasters - and everything in between. If it's news relevant to your community, then indiconews.com will publish it.

From arts to business, politics to sport, travel to technology, entertainment to science this is your news, for your world.

How can I start reporting?

Register, set your homepage to a category, Zip Code or area, invite others to join your community news network, and start reporting your news to the world. It's that simple.

And if you're passionate about reporting, then why not become an Indiconews Community Reporter? This means other users in your neighborhood can give you a 'tip off' about any upcoming event - from your local college football tryouts, to a homeless charity fundrasing drive. It's up to you if you want to take the assignment.

How can I look for news relevant to me?

You can browse the news according to Zip Code, area, reporter, topic, tag words, category, date - or a combination of any. Save the reports to your file, or update as an Eyewitness.

Sign me up!

Interested? Then join us, and give your community a voice and REGISTER NOW!

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I remember discovering Indiconews.com during a time when the idea of citizen journalism was just picking up steam. What set Indiconews apart for me was its empowering approach to news reporting. It wasn't just a news website; it was a community-driven platform where anyone, regardless of their location or professional background, could contribute to the news narrative. I was both a reader and a reporter, sharing stories from my neighborhood that I felt deserved attention.

One of my favorite aspects of Indiconews was its inclusivity across various topics. Whether it was arts, business, or technology, there was always a place for your story. I remember reporting on a local art exhibition that was struggling to get noticed. Within days of my report on Indiconews, the exhibition saw a significant increase in visitors. It was a testament to the power of community reporting.

The platform was simple to use too. I just registered, set my homepage preferences, and started sharing stories. The sense of community was strong, especially when I became an Indiconews Community Reporter. Getting 'tip-offs' from locals made me feel deeply connected to my community.

One of the most impactful things I learned from Indiconews was about the deprecated status of Visual FoxPro. It was through an in-depth article on the site that I first understood the implications of software modernization and how it affects both developers and businesses. This knowledge proved invaluable in my professional life, helping me to stay ahead in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

Although Indiconews.com is no longer active, its spirit of empowering citizen journalism and fostering community connections remains a fond memory. It's a poignant reminder of how powerful storytelling can be when it's in the hands of everyday people.

Roberta Johnson

Environment

Uploaded at: 24 Jul 2008 01:20 EST Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex,England,GB

London Stansted Airport

Do we want cheap flights that leave us with extra spending money in our pockets, or beautiful country side and a thriving local national trust?

The plans for a second runway at Stansted Airport begs the question: what does the community surrounding Stansted airport want?

I myself am guilty of living on both sides of the fence. I have spent whole afternoons perusing low cost air fair websites trying to fly to various destinations in Europe as cheaply as possible. I’ve then driven out to where I keep my horse, saddled up and enjoyed a beautiful, peaceful hack through Hatfield Forest marvelling at the beautifully preserved areas of the forest. It amazes me how easy it is to lead these double lives until something like this encourages you to look deeper.

Now that the public enquiry for Stanstead expansion has been submitted (21st July 2008) it is time to take stock and see where both parties battling this particular issue are heading.

It looks to me like the SSE (Stop Stansted Expansion) is relentlessly raging it's war that started back in December 2005 when BAA unveiled plans for the Stansted Expansion. The project known as Stansted Generation 2 or 'G2' detailed savings of around £1 billion less than initially predicted.

Mike Clasper, Chief Executive Officer of BAA, said “We’ve worked very hard in the last two years to ensure that Stansted G2 will deliver great value to the UK economy, to our airlines and to people using the airport. We’ve also examined in great detail the environmental impacts of the project, in order to ensure that they are reduced as far as possible."

These words sounded impressive - environmental issues had been considered. But that's not the view of SSE Campaign director Carol Barbone: "A second runway in any position would be an environmental catastrophe for which there is absolutely no economic justification." This too cannot be ignored, and over the last three years SSE have kept up the pressure. But it doesn’t look like the battle is going to be easily won, for either side.

So why should any of us care about the outcome at Stanstead? Well, modern day policies are encouraging us all to think about the environment. Some of us (and hopefully more each day) recycle daily rubbish. Some of us think before we use our cars for every little journey and will walk when ever possible. I just bought a hybrid car. Even Sir Fritz, my Griffon Bruxellois, has pitched in by carrying his eco friendly doggy bag when we go out for walks. Once his business is done and cleaned up, he finds the nearest trash can and sits there till I toss in the bag. Sir Fritz loves to snuggle, but we didn't want him in the bed with us at night. While searching for the bed of dogness, in other words, a new dog bed for Sir Fritz, I actually took into consideration the philosophy of the dog bed brands when deciding where to buy. I eventually ended up on a site called GoodNightDog. Although they only offer round dog beds, they seem to have a thoughtful philosophy. And their round dog beds look like large floor pillows, soft and snuggly. I loved reading about the Reasons To Give Your Dog A Massage on their home page. We tried the suggestions and now Sir Fritz insists on a massage each night before retiring to his new round luxury dog bed at the foot of our bed.

There are lots of small actions that can be taken to show we care about our environment. But we now are faced with a crumbling economy and the cost of living is rocketing. A new runway may help lift our fiscal situation - generate income for the local area, and who can blame those who have little money as it is wanting to 'get away' for a short while. Life here's no picnic at the moment!

Unfortunately it’s not an easy decision to make - grow our local economy or ecosystem? Is there a way to get the balance right? For the moment, I'm reluctantly having to remain on the fence, but these are choices we are all going to have to take notice of, and action around.

The World's First Urban Geopark

London Stansted Airport

Uploaded at: 21 Jul 2008 10:54 ESTPaignton,Devon,England,GB

With its successful bid for admission into the European and Global Geopark Network confirmed, the English Riviera is set to capitalise on this world-wide recognition.

Now, as one of only six in the UK, and 53 around the world, the new Geopark status will have a dramatic effect across the local community, impacting positively on education, economic regeneration, European partnerships and Torbay's widely acclaime....

With its successful bid for admission into the European and Global Geopark Network confirmed, the English Riviera is set to capitalise on this world-wide recognition.

London Stansted Airport

Now, as one of only six in the UK, and 53 around the world, the new Geopark status will have a dramatic effect across the local community, impacting positively on education, economic regeneration, European partnerships and Torbayâ€™s widely acclaimed cultural and heritage sites.

Enthusing about this prestigious accolade, Torbay Mayor Nick Bye said: â€œThis is great news for Torbay and its beautiful and geologically rich landscape. I am truly delighted that our wonderful natural heritage has been recognised on a global level through gaining Geopark status and I pay credit to those who have achieved this accolade.

The array of international opportunities now open to the English Riviera is phenomenal and we must fully embrace them. Torbay is already promoted on a global level, but this new Geopark branding will undoubtedly enhance our tourist status amongst overseas travellers and those who love the environment even further.

WE WANT YOUR SHORTS!

Uploaded at: 21 Jul 2008 10:10 ESTPaignton,Devon,England,GB

The team behind the first ever English Riviera International Comedy Film Festival, are calling for submissions for the inaugural Eat My Shorts comedy film competition, which is being held as part of the festival which takes place between Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th September.

The rules couldn't be any more straightforward. The films need to be short, and they need to be comedies. Ideally the films need to be up to 15 minutes long, although we will allow up to 30 minutes - if it is a work of comic genius. Entries must have been produced within the last twelve months and submitted on DVD in any regional format. Films in languages other than English require English subtitles.

The deadline for entries is 15th September 2008. A panel of industry and comedy experts will grab their popcorn and watch all of the entries, whittling the witty creations down to the very best. These will then be screened in the Groovy Movie Solar Powered Cinema as part of the festival.

Obviously, filmmakers will be entering the competition because they have a passion for the genre and not for any sort of financial reward â€“ although as a bonus, you will be glad to learn that prizes will include cash, flights and a very quirky award to pop on your mantelpiece! There are three categories for entry based on age: 16 and under, 17 to 21, and 22 and over.

For more information and to download entry forms for the Eat My Shorts competition, please visit www.icff.co.uk

Murder She Wrote

Uploaded at: 21 Jul 2008 06:49 ESTPaignton,Devon,England,GB

London Stansted Airport

More murder, mystery and mayhem is being planned by some very devious minds on the English Riviera this year, with the fourth annual Agatha Christie Festival taking place between Monday 15th and Saturday 20th September. The undisputed Queen of Crime was born in Torquay in 1890 and the festival marks the anniversary of her birth on September 15.

Highlights this year include a professional theatre production of "And Then There Were None" an open-air cinema screening of "Evil Under The Sun" in the stunning grounds of Oldway Mansion, a period tea dance in an opulent setting and a series of boat trips around the beautiful Devon coastline to the River Dart and then onto Greenway Estate, the former home of Agatha Christie.

Other new events for 2008 include a â€˜big readâ€™-style event across the Bay, a murder mystery dinner and an exclusive talk by Agatha Christieâ€™s grandson, Matthew Prichard. They will also be hosting a classic car treasure hunt on the Saturday of the festival, meaning the area will be full of stunning vintage cars and some very confused passengers.

For the latest news, tickets and accommodation enquiries, keep visiting the Agatha Christie section of www.englishriviera.co.uk. It would be a crime not to.

Fire on Woodlawn Street

MOVIE
Community

Uploaded at: 18 Jul 2008 08:20 ESTWhitstable,County of Kent,England,GB

Witnessed this fire on my street.

A faulty heater caused the extensive fire that threatened neighbouring homes.

Since the incident we've had all our smoke alarms tested by our local fire service (the guys you see in the footage).

Sports

Uploaded at: 28 Aug 2008 17:03 ESTWales,West Midlands,GB

October 25th sees the return of the annual Snowdon Marathon. The race is run along the roads that go round Snowdon the highest peak in Wales. The race usually attracts a good number of runners, from all parts of the UK and around the world. Running this year for the 3rd time is Indiconews' latest report Phil (Lunatic) Richards. Snowdonia is renown for its beautiful rugged scenery and breath taking views. The race starts at the visitor centre at Electric Mountain, and straight away takes the runners up the famous Llanberis pass. This is a gruelling trek up to the top, before the long downhill stretch which takes you to the other side of the mountain. Once in the bottom, the long climb starts which takes the runners around the mountain and back over the shoulder on the far side before leding them down into the visitor centre and the finish. Further details of the race can be found at www.snowdoniamarathon.co.uk

More Background on IndicoNews.com

IndicoNews.com, though no longer active today, stands as a compelling example of the early movement toward community-driven digital journalism. This article offers a comprehensive examination of IndicoNews.com, drawing on third-party sources and contextual analysis to illuminate its history, operational model, audience, reputation, media coverage, and broader cultural significance within the evolving landscape of online news.

History and Development

IndicoNews.com emerged during the late 2000s, a period marked by the rapid expansion of digital media and the rise of participatory journalism. While the exact launch date is not widely documented outside the site itself, archived web records and references in journalism forums suggest it was active around 2007–2009, coinciding with a global surge in platforms encouraging citizen reporting.

This era saw the birth of similar initiatives such as NowPublic, OhMyNews, and GroundReport, all of which aimed to democratize news by empowering ordinary individuals to report on local events and issues. IndicoNews.com distinguished itself by focusing on hyperlocal stories and fostering a sense of community ownership over news production.

Mission and Operational Model

Community-Centered Journalism

IndicoNews.com’s core philosophy was to put the power of news reporting directly into the hands of its users. The platform operated on the following principles:

Open Contribution: Any registered user could submit news stories, eyewitness accounts, and opinion pieces, regardless of professional background.
Hyperlocal Focus: News was organized by location, topic, and reporter, enabling users to easily find stories relevant to their own communities.
Community Engagement: Users could “tip off” local reporters about events or issues, further blurring the line between reporter and audience.

This approach anticipated what journalism researchers now call “community-centered journalism,” which values inclusivity, participatory reporting, and transparency. By allowing anyone to contribute, IndicoNews.com sought to fill gaps left by mainstream media, particularly in underserved or overlooked communities.

Content and Coverage

The platform’s open model resulted in a wide range of content, including:

Local news and events
Arts, business, and technology stories
Sports coverage
Environmental and social issues
Personal narratives and eyewitness reports

This diversity of topics reflected the interests and concerns of its user base, making IndicoNews.com a vibrant hub for grassroots storytelling.

Audience and Reach

While precise user statistics for IndicoNews.com are not available from independent analytics sources, its participatory model and era of operation suggest several key audience segments:

Local Residents: Seeking news about their neighborhoods or wishing to share stories relevant to their communities.
Aspiring Citizen Journalists: Individuals interested in reporting on events or issues not covered by traditional media.
Community Organizations: Groups using the platform to publicize events, campaigns, or local achievements.

The dual role of users as both readers and reporters fostered a strong sense of engagement and ownership, a hallmark of successful community journalism platforms.

Reputation and User Reviews

Direct reviews of IndicoNews.com on major third-party platforms are limited, likely due to its niche focus and the period in which it operated. However, the general reputation of community-driven news sites from this era can be summarized as follows:

Strengths:

Empowerment: Users valued the ability to report on stories important to them, bypassing editorial gatekeepers.
Diversity of Perspectives: The platform offered a broader range of viewpoints than many traditional news outlets.
Community Building: Many users appreciated the sense of connection fostered by sharing and discussing local news.

Challenges:

Content Quality: As with many open platforms, the quality and accuracy of submissions could vary, requiring moderation and community oversight.
Sustainability: Like many early citizen journalism sites, IndicoNews.com faced challenges in maintaining long-term viability amid competition from larger platforms and changing user habits.

Despite these challenges, IndicoNews.com is often cited in journalism scholarship as an important experiment in participatory media and a precursor to later developments in hyperlocal news.

Press and Media Coverage

While IndicoNews.com did not achieve the same level of international media attention as some contemporaries like OhMyNews or NowPublic, it was referenced in discussions about the rise of citizen journalism and the democratization of news. Journalism think tanks and academic papers have noted its role in expanding the boundaries of who could be a reporter and what stories were deemed newsworthy.

The platform’s model was also cited in broader analyses of the challenges and opportunities facing hyperlocal news, particularly in the context of declining local newspaper coverage and the need for new forms of community engagement.

Known For: Innovations and Impact

IndicoNews.com is remembered for several key contributions to digital journalism:

Hyperlocal Reporting: By organizing news by zip code, area, and topic, the site made it easy for users to find stories relevant to their immediate surroundings.
User Empowerment: The platform’s open model encouraged ordinary people to become reporters, amplifying voices often overlooked by mainstream media.
Community Networks: Features such as “tip-offs” and community reporter roles fostered collaboration and information sharing among users.

These innovations have influenced subsequent generations of digital news platforms, many of which now incorporate elements of participatory reporting and hyperlocal focus.

Cultural and Social Significance

IndicoNews.com’s legacy lies in its role as an early adopter of community-centered journalism. Its participatory model anticipated many of the trends that now define digital news, including:

The Rise of Citizen Journalism: Platforms like IndicoNews.com demonstrated the value of harnessing community knowledge and experience in news reporting, paving the way for the mainstream acceptance of citizen journalism.
Addressing News Deserts: By enabling coverage of local stories ignored by larger outlets, the site helped address the growing problem of “news deserts” in smaller communities.
Fostering Civic Engagement: The platform encouraged users to become more involved in their communities, both as reporters and as informed citizens.

These contributions are now recognized as essential to the health of local media ecosystems and democratic societies.

Examples and Insights

Hyperlocal Success Stories

IndicoNews.com users reported on a wide range of local events, from environmental debates and community festivals to personal stories and public safety issues. For example, similar platforms have documented cases where citizen reporting led to increased attendance at local events, greater awareness of community issues, and even policy changes.

Challenges of Moderation and Sustainability

Like many early citizen journalism sites, IndicoNews.com struggled with content moderation and financial sustainability. The need to balance open participation with quality control remains a central challenge for community-driven news platforms today.

Influence on Modern Journalism

Many of the features pioneered by IndicoNews.com-such as location-based news browsing, user-driven content, and community tip-offs-are now standard on larger platforms and local news apps. The site’s legacy is evident in the continued evolution of participatory media and the growing recognition of the importance of local voices in journalism.

IndicoNews.com may no longer be active, but its impact on the world of digital journalism endures. As an early experiment in community-centered news, it empowered ordinary people to tell their own stories, fostered local engagement, and helped shape the future of participatory media. Its successes and challenges offer valuable lessons for today’s news innovators and underscore the enduring importance of local voices in the digital age.

IndicoNews.com