Newsdesk.org was among nine finalists, out of 300+ applicants, in the WeMedia “pitch it” contest, which was staged at their annual event in Miami.

Our entry, LOCAL.NEWSDESK.ORG, is a core idea underlying the whole Newsdesk.org effort. It proposes to create a self-propagating network of cost-efficient, public-interest local news bureaus that use the News You Might Have Missed thesis of “important but overlooked news” as a key editorial principle. We do view this as a step forward for public media in general.

The Extraordinaries, an ingenious volunteer-through-your-cellphone app, ultimately took the prize, but it’s interesting to note that the local.newsdesk.org presentation was apparently something of a hit. There has been great feedback on all accounts, and some great new prospects.

Stay tuned for updates, and thanks for making so much possible.

NEWSDESK @ WEMEDIA:

– local.newsdesk.org is referenced in a Poynter column

– Read the details of the local.newsdesk.org proposal on Ashoka’s Changemakers Web site

– View the Pitch It session presentations (advance to 49:48 to view the local.newsdesk.org pitch; video courtesy of Fractor.org and Mogulus)