News Connections: Regional newspapers and the Web
Abstract
This paper examines key discussions occurring in relation to three issues currently affecting the news media both globally and locally. They are: an apparent disconnection between the media and their publics; declines in circulation and readership; and the increasing role and influence of new technologies on news media. These issues are considered in the global context and applied at the local level through an examination of their impact on, and consequences for, regional newspapers in Queensland. The study reviews the websites of Queensland regional newspapers and suggests methods by which these publications might use the web to address the issues they face. In particular, the paper focuses on ways of connecting regional newspaper readers, especially geographically disperse publics, with each other, regional journalists and newspapers.
Keywords
Web, regional newspapers, technology, disconnections, public, regional journalists
Author Biography
Jacqui Ewart
Jacqui Ewart was a journalist and media manager in Queensland for ten years before joining Central Queensland University in mid 1996. She was awarded a Master of Arts (Aboriginal Studies) by University of South Australia in 1997 and a PhD by Griffith University in 2002. Her research interests include new technologies, media representations and public journalism. This research was undertaken with the assistance of Central Queensland University’s Research Advancement Award Scheme.