SME News Northern Enterprise Awards 2023 / 94 Media Production Social Enterprise of the Year 2023 Based out of the north of England, Kirklees Local TV (KLTV) has become a prominent media company that provides coverage of local news, events, and community stories. Following the company’s success in the awards programme, we spoke with chief editor, Christopher Morgan to find out more about the team’s unique approach to news and media production. News media has become a contentious industry in recent years, defined primarily by consumers through its perceived lack of transparency and biases that twist pieces to the views of those managing production. Of course, that is far, far from best practice and indeed, there are a plethora of smaller media companies that seek to change that perspective through driving for excellence. This is where Kirklees Local TV has positioned itself and thrived, as Christopher explains in his opening comments. “We were established with a commitment to delivering accurate and timely information. Our primary mission is to connect and engage with the local community. Our core values revolve around journalistic integrity, community empowerment, and fostering a sense of belonging. While our commitment to these values has remained steadfast since our establishment, we continually evolve to meet the changing needs of our audience.” Where Kirklees Local TV truly distinguishes itself is in core product – its local coverage. With a focus on “authentic storytelling”, the company aims to give a voice to a community that is overlooked by national reporting and large media outlets. As a result of the aforementioned sense of distrust brewing with a reliance on these large outlets, hyper-local outlets have experienced a period of intense growth. “In the past year, the media industry has experienced a shift towards hyper-local content, and we have capitalised on this trend by deepening our community connections and building up networks that will enhance our brand for years to come. While there are competitors, our focus on grassroots journalism positions us as a leader in this area. What’s special about KLTV is we work with sole traders, the voluntary sector, the community sector, and the private sector. We are totally committed to our local diverse communities.” “The industry has shown over the last year that it is far from static,” Christopher adds. “There’s always some new type of digital media production software coming out that will enhance your marketing and strategy capabilities. Over the past year, it’s become clear that AI will play a big role in all our lives very soon, so how we react to that and take advantage of the tools that are available to us is very important. We want to be ahead of the curve in every available field.” It's in this dedication to act as an agent of positive change and an accelerator of growth that has positioned Kirklees Local TV as a key element of the community. The team has endeavoured to a goal of mutually beneficial coverage, framed within an approach that is honest, accurate, and aimed towards constant betterment. Unsurprisingly, this ethos originated from the outset, and is nurtured through its internal culture, as Christopher moves on to discuss. “KLTV fosters an internal culture centred around innovation and trust. We serve as a transformative workplace that enables us to develop individuals based on their interests and passions. Whether their expertise lies in directing, scripting, journalism, editing, videography, or studio management, there is a role for everyone within our organisation. We encourage diverse skills and backgrounds, valuing the unique contributions each person brings.” As it stands, the company is now building on its success through development and further innovation to best serve its burgeoning production. “Presently, our focus is on expanding our website to encompass a broader spectrum of people, places, and culture,” Christopher tells us. “Simultaneously, we are dedicated to fortifying our training programmes by incorporating a digital-first platform. Our overarching goal is to provide enhanced opportunities for individuals within socially and economically challenged communities to develop their digital skills and emerge as creative entrepreneurs.” Building on this digital presence forms the basis for the next 12 months of work for Kirklees Local TV, as Christopher concludes. “We have exciting projects in the pipeline for 2023/2024, including partnerships with local, regional, and national organisations, such as the Department for Transport and the Community Archives and Heritage Group. We have several upcoming projects that involve multimedia storytelling initiatives, and further integration of interactive content. These endeavours align with our goal to remain at the forefront of community-focused journalism.” Contact Details Company: Kirklees Local Television Ltd. Name: Christopher Morgan, Chief Editor Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.kirkleeslocaltv.com Telephone: 01484 512752 “From our humble beginnings with just five individuals, two cameras, and a Mac, we have evolved to attain this prestigious accolade. I extend my thanks to everyone who has been part of the journey since the inception of establishing Kirklees Local Television.”
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