Audience Perspectives on Paying for Local News: A Regional Qualitative Case Study

Australian regional journalists’ role perceptions at a time of upheaval

“…Most recently, the loss of WIN Network regional TV news bulletins in three states resulted in further cuts. Australia's print news consumption has also halved since 2016 (Park et al, 2021) with the proportion of regional consumers using a regional or local newspaper declining from 19% to 11%, caused by a range of what Ross et al (2021) describe as structural and relational factors that contribute to regional consumers’ unwillingness to pay for local news. The rapid decline of news outlets during the pandemic triggered emergency financial support from government and pushed the Australian Government to legislate a mandatory bargaining framework between the major digital platforms Facebook and Google and Australian news businesses, neither of which offer the systemic solutions needed by regional news media (Hess, 2020; Hess and Waller, 2021).…”

“…Bowd (2007) suggested this connection to local communities, and concern to act as a voice for local interests, makes local journalism more akin to development journalism in its desire to promote community agendas rather than seek to maintain a ‘neutral’ standpoint. Likewise, the perception that local journalism works on behalf of the community has been shown to be central to audiences’ affective and economic investment in local media (Park et al, 2021; Ross et al, 2021).…”

Examining audience perspectives on local newspaper futures

“…Poindexter et al (2006) for example, highlighted that local news audiences expect the press to be a good neighbour rather than a watchdog, that is ‘caring about the community, reporting on interesting people and groups.’ (Poindexter et al, 2006:77). Researchers such as Ross et al, for example, highlight news companies need to foster an interdependent relationship with audiences where they receive something of ‘value’ in return for committing to a brand (Ross et al, 2021) and this cultural and social connection appears to be especially paramount.…”

“…(Poindexter et al, 2006:77). Researchers such as Ross et al, for example, highlight news companies need to foster an interdependent relationship with audiences where they receive something of 'value' in return for committing to a brand (Ross et al, 2021) and this cultural and social connection appears to be especially paramount.…”

“…Regarding local journalism, there has been some attention paid to understanding how engaged or willing audiences perceive it (Ross et al, 2021; Poindexter et al, 2006) but less when it comes to their views on the solutions, theories and policy interventions designed to secure the future of news. Further, our review of the literature provides little evidence of scholars and industry giving voice and taking seriously the ideas of audiences regarding shaping an innovations agenda at the local level, one that considers the interplay of economics, politics, the environment, digital, social and cultural concerns.…”