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A message to my comrades at the News Corp regionals:
If they're not paying to run a press or rent an office in your community, why should they reap the profits of your work?
Do it yourself. It's scary but the rewards might just be worth it.
If they're not paying to run a press or rent an office in your community, why should they reap the profits of your work?
Do it yourself. It's scary but the rewards might just be worth it.
There are platforms out there which can provide the back-end tech and help you manage paywalls and email lists. I've chosen @SubstackInc for Murray Bridge News ( http://murraybridgenews.substack.com ), but there are others.
There are also resources out there which can help you get your head straight. I recommend starting with this, "Be the Disruptor", from @NiemanLab. Eight years old but rings true. https://niemanreports.org/books/be-the-disruptor/
For regionals in particular, subscribe to @kristenhare's Local Edition ( https://www.poynter.org/tag/local-edition/) and/or @WVUNewStart ( https://www.newstart.media/newsletter/ ) - both US based, but useful.
I understand @Deakin's Kristy Hess is working in this space in Australia. I'm sure we all look forward to seeing what her team comes up with! https://disruptr.deakin.edu.au/society/country-press-survival-the-focus-of-newly-funded-research-project/
And of course, I'm not the only one who's struck out on his own lately. There are new papers in Horsham, Vic ( https://www.wimmeramalleenews.com.au/ ) and Naracoorte, SA ( https://www.naracoortenews.com/ ). I suspect there will be more.
Anyway, News Corp peeps: don't despair. The future looks different, but people still need local news they can trust. There is value in that. Godspeed to the lot of you!
Oh, one last thing: I'm aware of the privilege that has allowed me to launch Murray Bridge News. My wife works two days a week. We have some savings. Country living is cheap! I'm very lucky. But I'm luckiest to have such a supportive local community behind me.
