She said like other regional newspapers the Pastoral Times had suffered significant revenue falls in recent weeks and it was going to take ‘‘a huge effort’’ to get through the crisis.
‘‘Our team is working hard, many on reduced hours, to keep bringing local news to our community. We don’t want to go down the path of many others, but it will be essential that we have strong community support, as well as government support.’’
She said Edward River Council continues to promote important community messages through the Pastoral Times and the federal government was now doing likewise, and this ongoing support was vital for all regional newspapers.
Newspapers at Mildura, Broken Hill, Swan Hill and Kerang are among many which have suspended publication in the past fortnight.
News Ltd. announced on Thursday it was suspending the publication of 60 community newspapers.
Mrs Dalton called on both state and federal governments to urgently subsidise regional newspapers, saying older residents are being left in the dark during the COVID-19 crisis.
‘‘At least 14 regional newspapers have stopped printing since the start of the COVID-19 restrictions and it looks like several more will go bust in coming weeks,’’ Mrs Dalton said.
‘‘People in isolated towns are being denied their main news source during a national emergency — a time they need it most.
‘‘This is not just an economic issue. It’s a public health issue. Many older residents are not online, so newspapers are their only source of information on how to stay safe during this crisis.’’
Mrs Dalton has backed industry calls for regional papers to be able to access $40 million from the federal government’s Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package.
‘‘The funding has already been allocated. It should be directed to regional media immediately,’’ Mrs Dalton said.
She added ‘‘all MPs, state and federal, can play their part. Many editors have complained to me that government MPs and departments don’t advertise much in regional papers anymore. They spend all their money in big city metros.
‘‘These small newspapers are going out of business because they’ve lost their advertising revenue. Private sector businesses have been forced to shut their doors, so they no longer need to advertise.
‘‘Government departments and all MPs could be making up that shortfall by advertising good reliable information on the COVID-19 crisis.’’
Ms Muir said the ongoing decline in government advertising had been a serious issue for regional newspapers for many years and was highlighted yet again by Country Press Australia when its president Bruce Ellen sent a letter last month to federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.
Ms Muir said of particular concern was the NSW Government, which continually sends media releases to newspapers to promote their activities, but consistently says ‘no’ when asked to pay for any of this promotion.
Mrs Dalton said she will ramp up her regional advertising in the coming weeks, and her office welcomes calls from local newspapers wanting to fill spots in their papers.
‘‘What’s going to happen when we have no regional newspapers? A lot of huge stories on the Murray Darling Basin were covered by the Sunraysia Daily and Barrier Daily Truth, but ignored by the big metros.
‘‘Governments will be able to do whatever they like, without scrutiny. I’ve copped a hammering from some regional newspapers. I’ve hated it. But we absolutely need them to hold politicians to account.’’
Ms Muir said she hopes this crisis will highlight the value of regional newspapers to their communities.
She encouraged all businesses still operating to keep supporting the Pastoral Times, so it could continue its proud tradition of serving the district for nearly 161 years.
Readers can continue buying the newspaper, or read the news online at www.denipt.com.au. To subscribe, go to www.denipt.com.au/join.
16°C