COMMENT
Opportunities & Threats: National News Media
Ray Snoddy's article in the Publishing Partners Guide 2019
News Media
The newspaper business was built for a world where one product served everyone and advertising paid for most of it. That model has gone. What replaces it is still being worked out title by title, from national groups to weeklies covering a single town.
Reader revenue is the clearest shift. Even Reach, which argued for free access for years, now puts some of its journalism behind a paywall, and the regional titles doing best changed their newsrooms before they asked anyone to pay. Ownership keeps changing too. National World rebuilt local editorships after years of centralisation, and the Observer is being reinvented as a premium print and digital title under new owners.
The strongest publishers understand the difference because they are not trying to be everything to everyone. They are trying to be essential to someone.
Chris Sherrard News media
Local news is where the pressure shows most. Millions of people now live without a dedicated local title, and new reader-funded and membership startups are moving into the gaps. Platforms are pulling back from news at the same time, which leaves trust and a direct relationship with readers as the assets that matter most.
Print hasn't disappeared either. Well-run weeklies still hold on to their readers, with circulation falling slowly while digital audiences grow.
Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on news media, from reader revenue and newsroom change to ownership, local news and trust, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.
Essential Resources
FEATURE
Returning to growth
Where is the growth opportunity for today’s publishers? Douglas McCabe tracks how the commercial model has evolved over the past fifty years and examines whether a better understanding of what online audiences want, will help drive future growth.
Best Practice in Publishing
News media
We asked Chris Sherrard, editor-in-chief of The Irish News, what does best practice publishing look like in news media? This is what he said…
INTERVIEW
Stand and deliver!
After years of resisting paywalls, Reach is now launching them across its titles. But David Higgerson, Reach’s chief content officer, carefully avoided the word ‘U-turn’ when interviewed by Steve Dyson.
INTERVIEW
Change before charge
It’s one thing to think that readers should pay for your journalism, but the reality is that unless you improve your offering, then you will struggle to start charging for it, as DC Thomson Editor-in-Chief Frank O’Donnell tells Ciar Byrne.
INTERVIEW
Ditching the generic
How can you edit a regional newspaper when you never visit the area you’re writing about? By filling it with generic content, an approach that National World’s David Montgomery, the new owner of JPI Media, is rapidly doing away with.
INTERVIEW
The Observer’s premium future
Ray Snoddy talks to Co-CEO Rich Furness about the thinking behind Tortoise Media’s acquisition of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper and about their plans for its future.
FEATURE
Opportunities & Threats: National News Media
What’s the outlook for national news media in 2024? Christian Broughton, CEO of The Independent, looks ahead.
FEATURE
Breathing new life into local media
There is a new generation of entrepreneurs launching local media businesses, bringing with them new ideas on business models and funding. Phil Clark looks at some of the stand-out examples.
OPINION
We Need Trusted News Brands Now More Than Ever
With Meta backing away from ‘news’ and AI accelerating the growth of disinformation, we need to redouble our efforts to safeguard access to quality journalism, says News Media Association Chief Executive Owen Meredith.
OUT & ABOUT WITH ALAN GEERE
Weekly does it
East Lothian is not just the best place to live – it has the best newsbrand too. Alan Geere heads over the border to find out what’s happening in the world of Scottish weeklies.
All Articles
INTERVIEW
Podcasting comes of age
The line between publishing and broadcasting has been blurring for some time now and the recent upsurge in podcasting has accelerated the trend. Publishers are taking their place on the main podcast platforms alongside traditional broadcasters. Chris
FEATURE
Democracy under threat? Journalists need help in handling internet trolls
The nature of journalism puts reporters in the firing line of internet trolls. Claire Wolfe argues that without being properly trained in how to deal with attacks, journalists could self-censor their comments online and dilute their role as guardians
SUPPLIER PROFILE
Renewed client-focus underpins Newsprinters’ reset strategy
Whilst newspaper sales trends might be heading in the wrong direction, print can have a long and healthy future. The trick, as Newsprinters MD Darren Barker tells James Evelegh, is to increase publisher collaboration across the supply chain, maintain
FEATURE
The rise of the hyperlocals
In the last ten years, writes Peter Sands, 300 regional newspapers have closed, meaning that important local issues are no longer being covered. The good news is that a new breed of publisher – the hyperlocal – is emerging to take their place.
RESEARCH
Finding the opportunity in disruption
“Finding the opportunity in disruption” is the subtitle of the latest report from Distripress, the international press distribution association. The annual Distripress Circulation Monitor is managed by Wessenden Marketing and a key element of it is a
INTERVIEW
In for the long haul
Regional publishing is under huge pressure and companies like Newsquest can’t avoid having to make tough decisions. But, as Henry Faure Walker explains to Ray Snoddy, they are committed to finding a long-term sustainable model for local journalism.
News
AOP Digital Publishing Awards – new category added
The Association for Online Publishing has announced entries for its flagship annual awards, which include a new category, are now open.
News
Over two hundred jobs cut from BuzzFeed globally
Last week, BuzzFeed made over 200 employees, 15 per cent of its overall global workforce redundant.
News
Ugo Monye and Ben Ryan join Guardian Sport
Former England and Lions star Ugo Monye and Olympic gold-winning Sevens coach Ben Ryan are joining the Guardian as columnists for the Six Nations and the rest of the rugby year.
News
Newsquest to launch Amersham, Chesham and Little Chalfont edition
Newsquest’s Bucks Free Press team has announced the launch of a new edition in the local community.
News
News UK titles raise over £1.3m
News UK titles raised over £1.3m for charity with their 2018 Christmas campaigns.
News
IPSO issues new information for the public on children
Press regulator IPSO yesterday issued new information for parents, guardians and other members of the public who may be concerned about reporting which includes children.
COMMENT
Sitting in judgement
James Evelegh's editorial from today’s edition of InPubWeekly.
News
Priscilla Baffour joins FT as head of diversity and inclusion
The Financial Times yesterday announced the appointment of Priscilla Baffour as its global head of diversity and inclusion. She will start in the newly created role in March.
