The subject of political blogs and the forthcoming elections arose at the Leeds Community News Hub earlier.
Journalism students setting out into the blogosphere often find politics an engaging topic and today I was asked for some tips for those getting started. So here's five:
* Think carefully about whether you're looking at the local scene, the national scene or a mix of both. Being clear about the scope of your blog is important whatever its topic.
* What access to information will you have? Unless you're based in Westminster, you're less likely to have access to a lot of the debates and briefings there - but could you get access at your local town hall, will the local MPs and councillors be available? The rules surrounding this are changing all the time. Useful link.
* Follow other political blogs, regardless of whether their outlook is in line with your own. It's easy to get sucked into an echo chamber of same views. Useful link.
* Links are vital so build up a good blogroll of other political blogs in your sphere to establish yourself as the go-to source of all things related to your area.
* Finally, there's some very useful tips on blogging basics here at The Guardian's tips for journalists and the Online Journalism Blog is an ongoing source of good information for those wanting to find out more.
And on the subject of politics of a local nature, the forthcoming elections will soon be a preoccupation for us here at Guardian Leeds. If you're interested in getting involved in that coverage, looking at your local area, please get in touch via the comments section below or by email.
The hub's Wednesday afternoon sessions are a chance for members of the public, community groups and journalism students alike to drop by to discuss local issues, story ideas, local investigations that need to be carried out in the public interest and any other journalism project.
If you'd like to get in touch then please contact myself or Leeds beatblogger John Baron @GdnLeeds or leeds.local@guardian.co.uk Leeds Trinity's head of journalism Catherine O'Connor c.o'connor@leedstrinity.ac.uk .
