AddThis SmartLayers

National daily hails Newsquest print launches as tide turner

A national daily has hailed the relaunch of three historic print titles in the South West as a sign that the “tide is starting to turn” for local newspapers.

Regional publisher Newsquest recently revived the Bournemouth Herald and Poole Herald, which were last published in the 1980s, to replace the Bournemouth Advertiser and Poole Advertiser.

The move follows the launch of another weekly heritage title, the Christchurch Times, in March.

The relaunches were applauded in a leading article in The Times focusing on the importance of local press scrutiny in the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Bournemouth Herald
It wrote: “The regional media has dwindled in recent decades and too many local politicians have developed a taste for secrecy.

“Early signs of a local press revival are welcome, therefore, and councils should relish the opportunity to communicate with constituents.

“There are signs that the tide is starting to turn. Three Dorset newspapers have returned to print decades after the last copy was sold. The Christchurch Times, Bournemouth Herald and Poole Herald all go back into circulation this year.

“Meanwhile Sir Ray Tindle, whose company owns more than 200 local newspapers, has found that there is still profit in titles focused on small areas.”

“These are promising developments, worthy of support. It is welcome, for instance, that a change in the law in force from today will mean that anyone can inspect councils’ financial records in person, regardless of whether they live in the borough.

“That will open up more channels of accountability to the public, via the press. Recent events in Kensington show how sorely that is needed. From the Palace of Westminster to a planning committee meeting, no politician should be able to govern as if no one is watching.”

Commenting on the article, Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker said: “The role of trusted local journalism in communities is more important now than ever before. At times of heightened uncertainty, people turn to brands they can trust – local news brands in digital and print – to find out what’s going on.

“That’s why you see many of our news brands now reaching online over 75 per cent of the people in their local markets each month – compare that to Facebook’s now plateauing audience penetration of 50 per cent.

“In the commercial space, it’s important that advertisers better understand that local media offers a safe and highly trusted environment free from the risks associated with other digital platforms. In today’s media landscape, trust and context are of paramount importance for brands.   And people trust the content on local news brands websites more than three times they do on social media.*

“We believe strongly in a bright future for local newspapers.  As a company, we are continuing to invest in this vital sector of UK media.  In the last six months alone Newsquest has launched nine new local papers for local communities.”

3 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • July 7, 2017 at 11:12 am
    Permalink

    Hardly launches, just rebrands. The Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Advertisers have disappeared…

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(17)
  • July 7, 2017 at 11:54 am
    Permalink

    Ah the revival of papers. someone was bound to claim it sooner or later, as digital thrashes around in the water looking for a lifeboat.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(8)