505stop.com: Hyperlocal Content for New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- 505stop.com is a unique online newspaper that opened in June 2010 with the purpose of improving communication across New Mexico, strengthening New Mexico communities and bringing awareness to issues that traditional media often overlook.

"New Mexico has many communities scattered over wide distances," said Lily Ribeiro, Editor in Chief of 505stop.com. "We have ongoing struggles with nepotism and shoddy practices in our state government. The obesity epidemic has hit our youth hard. Our state is home to the most endangered mammal in North America – the Mexican Gray Wolf. We have abundant oil and gas, but are also in a prime location for solar energy. Many media outlets in New Mexico focus on one particular community, or one specific topic, such as southwestern art. At the 505stop, we hope to bring some of these communities together, to raise awareness of issues that affect us all."

505stop.com can be seen as part of the larger 'hyperlocal' movement, which is providing fresh new leadership in the way news is reported and gathered in communities throughout the country. Hyperlocal sites tend to turn the traditional "top down" media model on its head – gathering news stories from a variety of venues and relying on community members for contribution and comments.

"Americans have grown comfortable with this idea that the media's function is to tell us what is going on and how it is important," Ribeiro continued. "The media's role is seen as trickle-down, reactionary, and providing just another commodity. At the 505stop, we want to take news reporting out of the hands of global corporations, empower citizens to make a difference, and ultimately guide public awareness of emerging and ongoing trends. Events such as September 11 and the Financial Crisis have caught the media sleeping. We hope to assume the 'watchdog' role that has been lacking for too long. Our state has too many needs for us to continue the business as usual model."

It is the hope of the 505stop editors and writers that New Mexico business owners, local politicians, community leaders, and anyone else with something to say will recognize the unique opportunity that 505stop.com provides. Ideally it will become a publication filled with content written by a variety of players who want to see New Mexico flourish.

SOURCE 505stop.com