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MEMBER PROFILE

Tom Grubisich

Washington, D.C.

I write about hyperlocal grassroots sites regularly for Online Journalism Review. What I've seen checking out community sites has not been encouraging. The content is generally dull and doesn't seem to tap into what's special about the communities being covered.

I am senior web editor at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where I started a blog built around small-scale development projects that bring clean water and other essentials to communities in the world's poorest countries, where people live on as little as 50 cents or $1 a day. Earlier in my career, I was managing editor of news for Digital City/AOL and before that co-founder of the free-circulation weekly Connection Newspapers in Northern Virginia. Earlier yet, I was a reporter and editor at The Washington Post. For more information, consult, Who's Who in America (2007 edition). I'm reachable at TomEditor@msn.com.

Contact:

to Tom Grubisich.

Articles:

How the New York Times can fight back and win
Commentary: Rupert Murdoch has the Times in his sights. But a Web 2.0 strategy could help the Gray Lady prosper, online as well as in print. - August 16, 2007

What is your solution for managing anonymous comments?
Commentary: A two-tab solution would let readers and publishers have it both ways. - August 6, 2007

Wanted: Experienced, passionate citizens for hyperlocal sites: Earn $$$ from your home!
Commentary: Backfence has joined the growing list of hyperlocal, grassroots journalism initiatives which have failed. But here are some back-of-the-envelope numbers which suggest such sites can, and should, succeed. - July 19, 2007

'Potemkin Village' Redux
Commentary: Are there really thriving communities to justify the hype about hyperlocal journalism? Web editor Tom Grubisich peeks behind the curtains of grassroots news sites. - November 19, 2006

The sweet (and sour) smell of success at YourHub
Commentary: The network of metro Denver community websites highlights content that's more PR than grassroots journalism. - March 12, 2006

What are the lessons from Dan Gillmor's Bayosphere?
What went wrong at the ambitious community journalism site? And what does it mean for grassroots sites in general? - January 29, 2006

Who 'shackled' AOL - and when?
Commentary: As Steve Case argues for liberation from Time Warner, a former AOL editor says the company fumbled long before the merger. - January 12, 2006

Grassroots journalism: Actual content vs. shining ideal
Community news sites get a lot of hype, but can they produce quality journalism? A survey, from pineapple salsa to virtual village greens. - October 6, 2005