Chevron "Reaches Out" To Oakland With "Community News" Website; No Controversies For Lone "Reporter"
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The site's editor is Mike Aldax, a former reporter for the San Francisco Examiner who is also an executive with Singer Associates Inc., Chevron's San Francisco-based public relations firm. The site covers some local news and events, and features a corporate issues section called "Chevron Speaks." Aldax said his vision is to model Richmond Standard after a neighborhood blog like Bernalwood in San Francisco.
Asked if he considers himself more of an editor or an advocate for Chevron, Aldax said, "My role is, in a sense, both." Aldax said his job is to report the news accurately, and "Heck, if the news is popular enough, people will read the 'Chevron Speaks' section." At the moment, Aldax is producing all the content himself but is hopeful that the site can become a place where "community members can share information with their neighbors."
However, the site has no plans to cover controversial topics — particularly if they paint Chevron in a negative light. "If someone wants to oppose Chevron, this is not the place for that; they can, though, post comments ... as long as it is not offensive," said Ritchie.
The company also plans to use the Chevron Speaks section of the site to respond to criticism. In fact, one of the first posts on the site was a Chevron statement about a recent Express article concerning oil refinery projects in the Bay Area that could bring in more tar sands and fracked oil to the region. Ritchie said, however, that the site isn't "about Chevron," but is a response to a need in the city. "We know from listening, [community members] want a place where they can hear positive stories about Richmond that are not covered by the media. This gives them an outlet."
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http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/chevron-launches-news-website/Content?oid=3841374