The last two decades have seen massive changes in all forms of mass media. These changes have been particularly felt in regional areas where resources for media have contracted. The days of locally owned radio and television stations covering local news and community events are becoming a distant memory, and much original reportage is left to newspapers that face their own economic headwinds and corporate takeovers.
In this area, the Newcastle Herald has recently been sold by the Nine Network to become part of Australian Community Media – now Australia’s largest independent newspaper publisher. With this and other changes in the local media landscape, there is uncertainty as to how the impact will be felt by the local community.
The challenges facing regional media are being discussed at the September Newcastle Institute event taking place at Souths next Wednesday, 11th September.
Watch a replay of the livestream
- Editorial Director of Australian Community Media Rod Quinn, a former editor of the Newcastle Herald, is visiting Newcastle for the forum. He will give his perspective on the recent changes, particularly with regard to the future of the Newcastle Herald.
- University of Newcastle academic Paul Scott from the School of Creative Industries will look at how the media landscape has changed, particularly due to the rise of the internet, loss of advertising revenue, and growth of social media as an ‘information’ source.
Local media facilitates social interaction within a community, and is part of a community’s identity. Oversight of local government and maintenance of democracy at the ‘grass roots’ level depends on local media. The importance of diversity and strong investigative powers in local media to a healthy democracy cannot be underestimated. The forum provides a unique opportunity to discuss the importance of local media.
Newcastle Institute members receive complimentary access to all of our events. All other people are very welcome and we simply request a donation at the door.
There is no online registration available for this month’s event