Is there any point in 'local press' websites any more?

[bunty0657]

I would love to know how many critics on this thread actually pay for their local news, if not do they have a right to criticize as they are part of the problem.

It is a chicken-and-egg situation.

There is no way I would ever pay the local rag a penny for the web news journalism it currently publishes. That is because its content is of such a feeble quality and standard it isn't worth anything. One of the journalists repeatedly mistakes there/their/they're, and very obvious typos are often to be seen, which indicates that copy is not even read through before it is published. That is how bad it is, although (basic spelling grammar aside) I don't blame the journalists for what is turned out. They are obviously doing as instructed. Reach PLC is the real villain and I hope it goes bankrupt in the future.

I do not know if there is even the opportunity to pay for local news, barring purchasing a paper - and the last time I did, it was a pale shadow of its former self, with a large portion of syndicated national content that will no doubt have been published in most other Reach PLC print titles.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

An increasing number of cities have one or more independent, “hyperlocal” news websites. These are often a fine antidote to the Reach/Newsquest/National World clickbait, and worth supporting both with your attention and financially. (Sadly there isn’t one here in Oxfordshire, although the Oxford Clarion twitter feed is good.)

 

[158756]

It is a chicken-and-egg situation.

There is no way I would ever pay the local rag a penny for the web news journalism it currently publishes. That is because its content is of such a feeble quality and standard it isn't worth anything. One of the journalists repeatedly mistakes there/their/they're, and very obvious typos are often to be seen, which indicates that copy is not even read through before it is published. That is how bad it is, although (basic spelling grammar aside) I don't blame the journalists for what is turned out. They are obviously doing as instructed. Reach PLC is the real villain and I hope it goes bankrupt in the future.

I do not know if there is even the opportunity to pay for local news, barring purchasing a paper - and the last time I did, it was a pale shadow of its former self, with a large portion of syndicated national content that will no doubt have been published in most other Reach PLC print titles.

But as you say, this is chicken-and-egg - print newspaper sales and advertising revenue have been declining for years regardless of the quality.

The situation with local news is only going to get worse with cuts at the BBC and the debate over the future of the licence fee and consumer/taxpayer unwillingness to pay for things like local news and radio.

 

[jon0844]

People probably watch and read very little news these days, besides what they see on social media - often curated by the poster to fit a specific narrative.

People certainly don't want to pay for news, assuming news gathering is free. It isn't. If you don't pay, all you'll get is what you are now getting from most of these sources.

And AI is going to make it even worse, but - hey - no staff equals no salaries! Spot a mistake? Email someone who will edit or delete the offending post, and likely do so on minimum wage.

 

[Richardr]

It is slightly more than a chicken and egg situation. The main revenue of most local newspapers wasn't cover price (and indeed many were free), it was the estate agents' advertising - often 20 or more pages here - motor dealers - almost as many pages - and the classified ads. That has all migrated elsewhere, never to return.

 

[jon0844]

It is slightly more than a chicken and egg situation. The main revenue of most local newspapers wasn't cover price (and indeed many were free), it was the estate agents' advertising - often 20 or more pages here - motor dealers - almost as many pages - and the classified ads. That has all migrated elsewhere, never to return.

The local papers now seem to give free ads for estate agents in the form of advertorials. They often don't even say they're ads, but are news stories written to say how fantastic a new housing development is, the great pricing and - hurry - they're selling fast.

I can't imagine they're expensive, certainly cheaper than an ad, and possibly are free as the 'reporter' made to churn out 15 stories a day can tick one off their list.

And the days of classified ads are long gone too.

The only thing they can still do, but do so badly with dates and addresses often wrong, is let people know about upcoming events, as well as potentially giving local sports results and court reports or obituaries. Data that is mostly freely available elsewhere.

 

[Intercity110]

I like them as they provide an escape from the stabbing hotspot you live in.