Today is World Press Freedom Day. Held every year on May 3, the day is about recommitting ourselves, particularly within the journalistic community, to upholding the importance of press freedom and professional ethics, and remembering those who lose their lives trying to bring you the news.
It is a sobering one this year, with this week seeing the end of the last daily printed newspaper in the region, with the announcement that The Northern Daily Leader will become a Saturday only publication as of next week.
As a result of the closure of the print site in Tamworth, the dominoes are already starting to fall, with a number of other papers ending their printed versions and, in the case of the Narrabri Courier, Gunnedah Times, Wee Waa News and North West Magazine, ceasing to exist entirely.
Instead of fighting for press freedom, it feels like we’re fighting for press survival.
Communities, readers and local businesses across New England will feel these changes in the media landscape deeply. Particularly in Narrabri, where the Courier has been part of their lives for over 100 years.
But regional communities matter. Their stories matter. Their future matters. You matter. So, we simply have to keep doing what we do.
The original concept for New England Times (and North Coast Times) of being a regional news outlet that provided a higher standard of news and investigation, leaving the local outlets we respect and value to do the hyper-local coverage, is no longer fit for purpose when the local papers cease to exist.
In much the same way that the decision by Australian Community Media to cease printing the Moree Champion, Inverell Times, Tenterfield Star, Glen Innes Examiner and a number of other smaller mastheads in 2024 forced us to increase our coverage on New England Times, we are again at a crossroads, and know we need to step up and do more.
The weight of potentially being the only professional local news source left standing in the region if this trend continues is enormous.
We also know, and we know many of you have recognised, that a detailed story on New England Times is far more effective at getting change than any politician’s pledge or community petition will ever be. For example, our recent reporting on the issue of medical transfers with no way to get home has shown up as a challenging issue in the Draft Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan released by the NSW Government this week, a clear indication Sydney has registered this is a problem that needs addressing.
Whether it’s getting state or federal government action on our roads, our health care, or anything else, having the story in the media is crucial. So, having strong local media is essential… and the collapse of local news outlets is not an inconvenience, it is a threat.
But doing high quality, detailed news is expensive. An investigation like the one we did into domestic violence, which has had enormous impact and influence on decision makers with long term ripple effects still being felt, costs thousands to produce and are never covered by advertising revenue alone.
Increasing our local coverage footprint, and making our local news more accessible and more relevant to more people, is expensive too.
And our revenue is shrinking, like most businesses in the country.
So, we just need to figure out how we go deeper, and wider, at the same time, with less money to do it. No biggie.
It’s not an original problem of course, there’s plenty of others in the region trying to increase yield while decreasing inputs and overheads.
To our readers, contributors, advertisers and supporters, thank you for backing independent regional media and helping us to keep producing real local news, paywall free.
How you can help support local media on World Press Freedom Day
- Help us collect the news! Send news tips, press releases, events or other announcements, to our team by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au or use our online form to give us an anonymous news tip, or submit videos and photos.
- Have your say and contribute to local debate by making a comment or writing a letter to the editor on New England Times Engage
- Advertise with us – see out latest deals for May here or email ads@netimes.com.au to contact the team
- Support us to keep providing local news, paywall free, by making a donation
- Sign up to our email lists
- Follow New England Times and share our stories on social media Facebook | LinkedIn | Bluesky | X
- Tell people about New England Times – lots of people in the region still don’t know we exist.
- If you have a local still standing in your town, make sure you support them too.
Dr RK (Kath) Crosby is the CEO of research and strategy company KORE CSR, former strategist for the Australian Democrats, and holds a PhD in political behaviour. She is also a well known migraine and health advocate, and the Publisher of New England Times and North Coast Times.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.