Local news, Global distribution

By Boaz Eshtai on August 18, 2009

In the old days, the difference between local or national news to international news, was very clear- International news was mainly gathered by news agencies such as AP, Visnews (today Reuters) and WTN.
Very few big networks and publishers had international presence. If they did, it would only be in key territories that provide ongoing international news stories, such as Jerusalem.

Today, the international news coverage is different. News and media companies distribute content 24/7 via the web, using cheap camera gear that produces high quality footage. This enables local stories to become international stories.
About two years ago I filmed a documentary for Channel 4’s BodyShock. It was a big project that was later broadcasted on National Geographic.
“Lakshmi, the Girl with eight limbs” was about a girl who was born with 8 limbs in India. The locals considered her a goddess. On one of the days during the two month shoot, Lakshmi had an operation to amputate her extra limbs.

That day and for the following 48 hours, her story became the biggest story in the international news. It was covered by more than 5,000 Broadcasters and online publishers around the world.
This girl was two and a half years old when we shot the documentary. For two and a half years this local story did not exist to the rest of the world. But local stories can become international- today more than ever. So next time when you film a news story don’t rule out the possibility to sell it to newsrooms world wide – it might be the next big thing. Local stories could go global, if you see their potential.