In this Lightning Talk, Judith Calmels Arancibia proposes an innovative response to combat “news semi-deserts” in Patagonia, focusing her work on the town of Plottier. Her approach breaks away from the media’s traditional obsession with metrics, such as click counts or views, to prioritize building genuine bonds with the community. This paradigm shift seeks to transform news consumption into an experience of human connection, restoring a tangible social and cultural value to local information.
The implementation of this vision materialized through Plottier Conecta, a media outlet that uses Instagram as a strategic channel and audiovisual formats to tell inspiring stories. The heart of the project lies not only in technology but in people and their experiences; bridges are built where journalism acts as a facilitator between digital innovation and the daily reality of local residents. By placing the human element at the center, the outlet achieves a unique identity that fosters active participation and strengthens a sense of regional belonging.
To ensure this initiative lasts, Judith integrated a solid business model from the project’s inception, guaranteeing its sustainability and enabling its scalability. Currently, the proposal is being successfully replicated in other towns across Neuquén, with the ambitious goal of expanding into a web platform with provincial and Patagonian regional reach. This growth demonstrates that journalism with local roots and a professional structure is capable of generating a real impact and successfully projecting itself into the future.
Don’t miss the full analysis! Watch the video of Judith Calmels’ talk at Media Party 2025 (English subtitles available).
Speaker Profile
Judith Calmels Arancibia
Coordinator, Plottier Conecta
