You may notice the Our news, your voice campaign that is running across our social media, website and newspaper for the first week of May.
There is an article later in the paper which explains this campaign a little more, the basics is that it is a nation-wide awareness and fundraising campaign designed to support independent publishers.
We are fortunate to have great support from many local businesses.
So much so that after hearing of the advertising cuts by council, local businesses called and said they wanted to increase their advertising in both the Beaudesert Bulletin and Canungra Times.
I’ve found that this kind of loyalty and support really exists through locally owned businesses and I’m extremely grateful for it.
I’m completely aware that the golden age of newspapers no longer exists, but equally aware that we are still regarded as important carriers of information in the community – the fourth estate, if you will.
Over the years the business has evolved (now having three papers and the associated websites) and the quality of what we are producing has, I believe, improved.
As a local, independent newspaper, we highlight and investigate issues that matter to the local people – new developments proposed for the area, community initiatives, holding government at all levels to account.
Some of this can be done through social media pages – to a point – but the existence of an organisation that employs journalists who fact check and investigate is a luxury in a small regional area.
Over the next month, think about how you can support your local newspaper – whether it is reading our paper, liking and sharing our social media, letting local businesses know that you see their ads in our paper, or by contributing financially as a ‘supporter’, it would be very much appreciated.
At the end of the day, you don’t know what you’ve lost til it’s gone.
