Two local publications in Bellingen and Nambucca Heads have ceased producing news
Two local publications in Bellingen and Nambucca Heads have ceased producing news - both in print and online.
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Two local publications in Bellingen and Nambucca Heads have ceased producing news - both in print and online.
The Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun and Nambucca Guardian are owned by Australian Community Media (ACM), formerly part of the Fairfax Media empire.
The Bellingen and Nambucca titles ceased printing in April last year at the height of COVID-19 but kept a limited presence on their associated websites. The Bellingen paper never printed again; while the Nambucca paper returned for about six weeks and folded again.
The company’s Kempsey publication, The Macleay Argus is to remain for now, but the Coffs Coast Advocate was unable to contact anybody to confirm the situation.
The associated websites for both the Bellingen and Nambucca Guardian are no longer active with a search for both the www.bellingenshirecouriersun.com.au and the www.nambuccaguardian.com.au taking you to the Macleay Argus website.
The Advocate understands many other ACM publications including the Wingham Chronicle have been similarly impacted.
Many of the publications had been suffering a slow decline with gradual redundancies and the closure of offices.
In November 2018 the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun’s Hyde St office was closed with the advertising representative and journalist working from home.
In April 2019, the advertising representative was made redundant and then when COVID-19 hit, the paper stopped printing in April last year. Jobkeeper came into play for a while but now the mastheads will fold altogether.
The Advocate’s calls and emails to ACM Executive Editor James Joyce have not been returned.
In recent months a mysterious publication called The Courier’s Son has popped up around the Bellingen area taped to notice boards and the back of toilet doors.
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