Local newspapers thrown a lifeline
by Maryann Jenkins
Regional and community news media publishers , including this masthead , continue to struggle to stay afloat amid exorbitant price rises in paper stock , pandemic lockdowns and the concerted effort of large metropolitan news companies to exclusively push everything to a paid digital subscription model .
In 2019 , the ACCC reported there were 21 local government areas without coverage by a single local newspaper . In April , data from the Public Interest Journalism Initiative showed this figure has now jumped to 31 LGAs without local print or digital news coverage .
While various industries have been thrown ‘ support measures ’ to survive sustained pandemic lockdowns , and impacts of bushfire and flooding disasters , your local papers haven ’ t .
Keeping a free local newspaper in existence is now more difficult , with the price hike in paper a further nail in the coffin , as forewarned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission .
Prior to being elected into government , Greenway MP and then Shadow Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Labor would work with the publishing sector to ensure an incoming Albanese Government was ready to activate a crisis response to avoid a catastrophic loss of local news printers with the price hike in paper .
CRISIS RESPONSE ACTIVATED : ROWLAND
“ This represents a terminal threat to local newspapers already on a knifeedge , as well as hundreds of journalism jobs across Australia , including regional Australia ,” Ms Rowland said in April .
“ Local newspapers are more than just a source of news on local council , courts and law enforcement – they are a community exchange for small business , real estate , personal notices , schools , local sports and community events , among other things .”
On June 20 , 2022 , Ms Rowland , now Communications Minister , confirmed Labor ’ s promise with the Independent , by stating a $ 15 million ‘ help package ’ existed and a News Media Assistance Program will be created .
“ The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the health of our domestic broadcast media industry , which delivers valuable Australian content , local news and current affairs as well as emergency broadcasting – fundamental public interest goods essential to maintain in our democracy ,” Minister Rowland said .
“ Our commitment involves a package to support local news , community broadcasting and jobs , including a $ 15 million fund to support eligible regional and local newspaper publishers to help absorb newsprint price increases .
“ A News Media Assistance Program will also be developed to secure the evidence base needed to inform news media policy intervention in Australia and formulate measures to support public interest journalism and media diversity .”
While specifics of the assistance haven ’ t yet been outlined , this news comes nonetoo-soon for publisher Julie Ryan , owner of the Independent Magazine Group .
“ I ’ ve been publishing local news for 12 years and in the industry for 18 . When I started in print it was huge until the corporate giants like Fairfax and News Limited decided to push the digital agenda because it was worth more money to them , community news wasn ’ t a high priority anymore .
“ I believe wholeheartedly that print is NOT dead . Professional local news is alive and well , and I am reminded every day by readers when they take the time to say thank you for keeping us informed , it makes the hard work worth it .
“ We produce three , free community news magazines across around 100 suburbs in the Hawkesbury , Hills and Blacktown LGAs . Our readership is 120,000 plus and we employ a team of 11 locals . “ People tell us they want their free newspapers . They want to read and hold actual news in print , it ’ s tangible , has a long shelf life and you ’ re not bombarded with digital pop-ups or subscription paywalls flashing in your eyes trying to read articles .” Ms Ryan said Australian Community
Media ( ACM ) and Country Press Australia
( CPA ) warned of a catastrophic loss of local papers with the price rise in paper .
“ I cannot physically get the same paper stock we printed on just months ago . It is now unavailable so we ’ ve been forced to use more expensive stock which has increased our costs by 150 % and this is after surviving a pandemic .”
The ACCC ’ s 18-month inquiry identified widespread closures of local newspapers and made a number of recommendations to support public interest journalism , recommendations the previous government failed to deliver on , according to Minister Rowland .
“ Local newspapers are the lifeblood of local communities ,” the Minister said .
Words echoed by Macquarie MP Susan Templeman ( pictured with Michelle Rowland MP ), herself an ex-journalist and strong advocate for local news and supporter of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance # OurStoriesMatter campaign , as well as fervent local news backer Berowra MP Julian Leeser .
“… communities turn to their local newspaper for important information , such as where to go for help and to share stories of grief and joy ,” Mr Leeser said .
“ So , I want to say thank you to journalists and staff behind each of our local publications for all your hard work to keep our communities informed .”
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 85 // JULY 2022 5