Community & Business
8 April, 2023
Local news more important than ever
QUEENSLAND Country Press Association president Carl Portella said the research project on the future of country papers in Australia was “an important initiative that seeks to address the challenges facing regional and rural newspapers in the current media landscape”.
“By engaging with stakeholders and exploring innovative solutions, it aims to support the long-term viability of country newspapers and ensure that they continue to play a vital role in the Australian media ecosystem,” he said.
“Local news is now more important to readers than ever before, it allows them to keep in touch with what’s happening around their neck of the woods.”
As managing director of Cairns Local News and The Express, Mr Portella said it was “important for readers to know that we as a news medium, not just in print but across our social media channels, are a proven and trusted source of information”.
“We have quality journalists who are well known to the community, who are always accessible,” he said.
“Revitalising the interest of federal, state, and local governments in print advertising to support
independent publishers is a positive step in keeping Australian Journalism alive.
“Regional newspapers play an important role in keeping the community informed on what matters to them.”
Country Press Australia president Andrew Manuel said the report should be seen as a beginning and not an end, and that the report highlighted the essential role local papers played in serving their communities and delivering civic journalism.
“This is arguably the most comprehensive study of our industry ever undertaken and the report stands as a beacon for government, for policy makers and for the community to take the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure newspapers can continue to play such a vital role,” he said.
“The study was done across the most tumultuous time the media industry has experienced, and local papers remain such an integral cog in regional and rural Australia, despite the hardships we’ve all endured.
“The report defines regional and rural papers as essential services to the community, and better support from government, and a better under-standing from government around this is an important next step.”
