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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
What’s the outlook for national news media in 2024? Christian Broughton, CEO of The Independent, looks ahead.
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.
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.
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.
Paul Connew takes a personal look at how the riots that rocked UK cities and towns in the wake of fake news about the Southport child massacre brought into sharp the roles of both the MSM and the Tech Titans and their uncomfortable inter-dependence.
Readly has launched The Evening Standard Olympic Games Retro series.
Impress has released guidance to help the public tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the media.
This week’s ruling against Google by a US court has been welcomed by publishers.
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Guardian Media Group have announced appointments to the team leading their strategic creative partnership.
National World's The Athletics Weekly Podcast, will include special daily editions from the team as they cover the Olympics on the ground.
IPSO has published its guidance for journalists and editors on reporting of major incidents.
The new Advertising Association report includes case studies of AI in action and a 12 point ‘Checklist for Responsible AI Adoption’.
The Society of Editors, the National Union of Journalists and the IFJ have welcomed the release of Evan Gershkovich and other journalists jailed in Russia.
IPSO has launched a new website as part of a brand overhaul to reach more audiences.
Reach plc has released its half-year results for the six months to 30 June 2024.
Ozone has announced the launch of the newest addition to its ECOzone sustainability programme.
Paul Connew, media commentator and former national newspaper editor with inside knowledge of past mishandled BBC scandals, looks at how the press has covered the scandal and how it reflects on the BBC.
Half-yearly financial results have been reported by publisher National World for the 26 weeks ended 29 June 2024.
Impress has called for urgent action to tackle misinformation following Southport Riots.
