Chevron launches local 'news' website in Richmond, Calif.

Source: East Bay Express

Over the past decade, Chevron's image in the East Bay has taken a beating, particularly after the massive explosion and fire at its Richmond refinery in 2012 that sent 15,000 area residents to local hospitals. In addition, numerous reports in recent years have pointed to serious health dangers posed by the refinery for people living near or downwind from it. So in an effort to restore its reputation in the community, the oil giant has launched a new website called Richmond Standard that it says will focus on "local community news."

... 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.

... 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 Melissa Ritchie, a company spokesperson.

... Ritchie said the site also offers a new model for the future of journalism — one that is funded directly by corporations. "We believe the website has the potential to blaze the trail for a new model of corporate-sponsored, community-generated news," the website reads.

Read more: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/chevron-launches-news-website/Content?oid=3841374