The legendary news wars in Maine’s southernmost county are giving new meaning to war.
A website calling itself Biddeford Buzz is now a leading source of news for the 22,552 residents in Biddeford, Maine.
But who’s behind the operation in the city Wiki calls York County’s principal commercial center is a secret.
Biddeford Buzz claims 5,500 followers on Facebook, compared to other locally-based digital outlets that don’t appear to match those numbers.
“The Biddeford Buzz is more than just a ‘newspaper,’ it’s a movement,” its website says. “The goal of The Biddeford Buzz is to amplify YOUR voice, share YOUR stories, and build a stronger, more connected city,” it says. “Since day one, the Buzz has been 100 percent community-driven and created through the work of volunteers.
“The mission is to provide a news source that serves as a traditional local outlet offering both original and shared content, but also as a platform for community members to stay informed, share their stories, spark meaningful conversations, and engage with one another.”
The Maine Wire reached out to The Buzz asking the following questions: Who started it? When did it start? Who are your competitors if you have any?Who are the people behind the curtain?
The Buzz wasn’t very loud – no one responded to those questions.
Two weeks ago, the so-called founder of The Buzz aired what News Center Maine described as video of an arrest being made by federal immigration authorities.
News Center, which promoted the footage, reported it spoke with the founder of a Biddeford-based local journalism outlet, Biddeford Buzz, after The Buzz posted an ICE sighting on social media.
“The founder asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons,” the TV-news outlet reported, adding that he launched Biddeford Buzz “after he was shot on Elm Street last May, citing his interactions with local news outlets at the time as inspiration to begin reporting himself.”
The reference is to a 32-year-old man police reported was briefly hospitalized after being shot May 11.
A suspect was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Therein the start, apparently, of The Buzz, which, despite its chosen stealth, is creating a real buzz.
Such are “news wars” in Biddeford, Maine.
The numbers favor The Buzz.
War sometimes requires stealth, even, apparently, in journalism.
