Local and Independent News Finally Getting the Recognition and Assistance it Deserves

For a while now, it has been clear that, with the loss of journalism jobs and the collapse of many local media outlets, there were ‘news deserts’ both in Australia and overseas where coverage of important local issues was not happening in the way it used to.   This has resulted in small and passionate independent and local news and media organisations filling the gap.

In the Cove is one such media organisation committed to local News. In the Cove is the only local media organisation that attends Lane Cove Council meetings, local events and keeps an eye on local traffic and crime (with the help of our outstanding roving reporters). In the Cove is a hyperlocal news organisation.

Hyperlocal media is defined as a print and/or online organisation which is:

• Community-focused
• Independently owned and original
• Covering public interest news and important local issues, and
• Working at a local geographic level.

It’s not easy being a local independent news organisation. Most of our funding is from local businesses who support us as they recognise the value ITC provides to the Lane Cove Community. However, ITC is very mindful of how tough it is for a local business, and therefore we keep our advertising rates low and affordable.

We recently started a Press Patreon account where locals who want free local News (no paywalls) can support In the Cove. We have had sponsorship from $10 to $100 (some one-off payments and others monthly), and we are so thankful. If you would like to be a reader sponsor, you can sponsor us here.

However, In the Cove (and other hyperlocals) have limited resources and, until now, no backup from a professional body that assists with capacity building and support.

Local and Independent News Association

In response to challenges faced by the hyperlocal news industry, the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI) has partnered with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) to develop an industry-wide capacity-building organisation, the Local and Independent News Association (LINA).

JNI and CBBA have recognised that hyperlocal news outlets, new and legacy, are vital to Australian democracy and culture. They tell the stories that matter to local communities, advocate for them and contribute to social and community cohesion. They wanted to play a part in reducing the number and scale of news deserts in Australia.

Research by JNI and CBAA found the most significant challenges identified by founders of hyperlocal news outlets were building and maintaining sustainable revenue streams and using technology to maximise reach.

ITC’s Founder Appointed to LINA Board

ITC is delighted to inform you that Jacky Barker, Founder of In the Cove, was asked to be on the board of LINA in recognition of the work she has undertaken in raising the profile of hyperlocals in Australia.

Jacky has worked to promote hyperlocals in Australia and has met with hyperlocal publishers overseas. In 2016, Jacky went to the UK, where she met with the Centre for Community Journalism to learn about their hyperlocal movement and how it was leading the way with ensuring local communities received local News.

Another member of the board is Alan Sunderland (who also happens to be a Lane Cove Local). Alan is a journalist, author and editorial consultant with more than forty years of experience working for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service.

Alan has worked as a news and current affairs reporter for both SBS and the ABC,  including five years as a Political Editor in the Canberra Press Gallery. He won two Walkley Awards. He was News Director at SBS from 1996-1999, a senior news executive at the ABC from 2005 to 2013, and the Editorial Director of the ABC from 2013 to 2019. Since 2019, he has continued writing and speaking about public interest journalism. He is the Executive Director of the International Organisation of News Ombudsman and a Walkley Public Fund Committee member. He also writes children’s books learn more here.

More About LINA

The Association will help existing hyperlocal media to survive and grow and to encourage new hyperlocal media entrants by providing capacity-building support, expert advice and access to critical third-party services. The hands-on support provided by LINA will directly address the challenges commonly cited by hyperlocal news organisations.

LINA will also help create a network among hyperlocal news organisations to support peer-to-peer learning through online and in-person forums, conferences, and a digital library of resources, including style guides and content templates.

JNI Executive Director Mark Ryan said that after years of working with hyperlocal news publishers and editors, it became clear that philanthropic grants alone are not the long-term solution to ensure the viability of these important media outlets.

“LINA will be an organisation that helps hyperlocal news businesses develop business models that are sustainable. Often these organisations are teams of two or three people who simply don’t have the existing experience, or the time, to build their businesses in the most efficient and effective way possible, but they have a clear vision and passion for covering the stories that matter to their community.”

CBAA CEO and foundational LINA Chair Jon Bisset said: “Local publishers share many similarities with community radio stations — community-driven, independent and deeply connected to their regions. We are excited to support LINA with our existing expertise and economies of scale.”

“We want to help strengthen and foster hyperlocal publishers, ensuring that small media models can thrive — and that our communities can get the information that they need.”

LINA has been incorporated, and a search for an Executive Director is currently underway.

This is an exciting time for hyperlocals who finally get the recognition they deserve. LINA is an important step to assist existing hyperlocals in thriving and encouraging new hyperlocals. Local News is important.

JNI also produces a podcast called Journo, and ITC’s founder was interviewed with Carol Altman from The Terrior about the role of hyperlocals and the issues we face. You can listen to the podcast by clicking the link below.

Alan Sutherland was interviewed on ABC Breakfast Radio Illawarra about the importance of Hyperlocals, and you can listen to his interview here (at 1.46.37).

Keep Local News Free