Digital-only newspapers ‘a proven strategy’

As News Corp moves to a digital-only model for many titles, those that have led the way have achieved ‘enviable’ audience growth.

St George Shire Standard journalist Eliza Barr says the digital-only model has gone from strength to strength. Picture: AAP

The architect of several News Corp digital publications, NewsLocal publisher John McGourty, will lead the reshaping of many other titles and says the strategy has achieved proven results for community news.

The move to cease printing many of News Corp’s regional and community newspapers in a move to a digital-only model marks a turning point for the business.

News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller wrote in The Australian last week that there were many advantages in lean digital journalism, which would remain the voice of communities in Australia.

“Regional Australians should not be worried that their issues will not be covered: our journalists living and working in their communities will ensure they aren’t ignored,” he said.

Several digital-only news sites have been launched by News Corp in recent years, which according to Mr McGourty point the way for how the model will work for other sites.

“There’s a lot of talk out there about us deserting community, all we’re doing is transitioning from one platform to another,” Mr McGourty said.

“Our audience is moving online rapidly, we are responding.”

The St George Shire Standard, launched in November 2018, was the first test of the digital-only model, followed by a foray into Wollongong with the Illawarra Star before moves in Newcastle, Canberra, and even the heart of Sydney.

Mr McGourty said these digital-only publications have seen a 300 per cent year-on-year subscription growth. Up to 40 per cent of new subscription growth on metro papers comes via local stories people pay to read.

“Many other media companies would be envious of that kind of audience growth,” said Mr McGourty. “It’s a strategy that works, it’s a proven strategy.”

The model works by providing ongoing local coverage both in newsletters and on social media, with those stories feeding into metropolitan or regional print or online mastheads.

Costs are reduced, with publications slimmed down in size and no need to pay for print production.

But they will continue to support the reporting of more than 375 journalists across Australia.

Mr McGourty said the business model relied on journalists being highly embedded in their local communities.

“We will have a lot of young recruits and a lot of people who’ve been in journalism for a few years,” he said.

“The number one criteria is someone who can work and live in the same area and I think we will be operating irrespective of the platform.”

Mr McGourty said the data already showed that in Victoria, junior AFL covered in local news accounted for 50 per cent of new subscriptions, while in South Australia and Brisbane many locals are interested in reports on developments in their area.

St George Shire Standard journalist Eliza Barr has won awards for her local coverage including significant reporting on cocaine dealers in the Sutherland Shire area.

She said the publication she helped found proved the low-cost, slimmed-down model could work across Australia.

“It’s been 21 months now and two years in August since we launched it and we’ve seen it go from strength to strength,” she said.

“Going to an online format is not a road or an escape from quality and presentation and an attention to detail, it’s a way to approach things differently and uphold that standard.”

Ms Barr said moving away from a once-a-week print run allowed local publications to provide more and on-the-ground breaking news content.

“I think that kind of flexibility really benefits readers, they don’t need me to be harping on about nothing but they may want to know why there’s a lot of police cars in the night,” she said.

“The thing that’s really beneficial about having a subscriber model is we can see what they respond to more and what they respond to less.”