It is all very well bemoaning the fact regional newspapers owned by media mega companies have closed over recent weeks, but why are we not celebrating the independent community papers which have been serving our regions for decades and despite the current COVID-19 pandemic…continue to do so?
The Clarence Valley Independent has been supporting and celebrating this area for 26 years, we are one of the independent papers that are riding out the pandemic and are still providing local news. We are not alone; independents are scattered far and wide across Australia and are still going strong.
To listen to the doom and gloom surrounding the closure of the print editions of Newscorp, ACM and various other news outlets is a little disheartening and quite frankly, insulting to the staff who have worked hard over the years to keep the pages of independently owned newspapers filled with local news, sport and other community achievements….news which is so important to local communities.
Encouragement is what is needed!
The media business is and always has been a tough game to be in.
The existence of online giants such as Facebook and Google have impacted heavily on advertising streams and the current pandemic has made life extremely difficult for local community newspapers.
Independent newspapers have always been around and will be into the foreseeable future; not everyone likes their news provided online and many prefer their news in a hard copy printed form.
Whilst the media mega companies have deserted regional Australia newspapers like the Clarence Valley Independent are here for you but can only survive with support from our local community.
Anne Mazzitelli
Manager
Clarence Valley Independent