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Local newspaper journalism is in an existential crisis. We often ask, ‘Who's going to save local newspapers?’ – meaning, ‘who's going to pay for it?’. Given the scale of the problem, we often say that philanthropy, big tech or government must be the answer. But what if a large part of the answer – and the resources – lay within local communities themselves?
Columba is editor/founder and sole employee of Newry.ie, a hyperlocal news website which serves Newry city. Coming from a photography background his work now encompasses journalism, photography, advertising sales, fundraising, website management, web design, community campaigning and more. Newry.ie is a Community Interest Company directed by Gary O'Hare, Bronagh McAtasney and Columba.
Most recently he was part of a successful community campaign which resulted in a £16 million grant being made available for a community park in Newry. He explains “Newry.ie, a member of the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that exists to inform, support, challenge and celebrate the people of Newry and promote the city of around 27,000 people to the world. Campaigning for a better Newry is a major part of the site's remit. Currently, Newry is the only city in Ireland without a public park. In 2013 Newry.ie initiated a ‘park conversation’ with a blog post that resulted in myself and two others setting up the campaigning group, Newry 2020. Following a lengthy and at times stressful campaign, involving the entire community we succeeded in getting £16m earmarked for the project just a year ago.”
Columba adds “In late 2022 I was involved in organising a Local News Plan for Newry. Commissioned by the Public Interest News Foundation and NewsNow, it saw a diverse section of the Newry community meet to look at the issues faced by providers of local news and consider potential solutions for them. This was just one of six locations - others being Bangor (Wales), Folkestone, Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol. Thankfully the Newry event was a tremendous success with people from a wide section of the community attending an inaugural meeting andcontributing ideas.”
Initial discussion at the meeting centred around the aspects of local news that people valued – including campaigns and local services, promotion of local businesses, an overall sense of community, major events in people’s lives and the accessibility and physical permanence of newspapers.
Proposed solutions for the future included funding, balanced reporting on positive and negative aspects; a wide variation in reports including politics, sport, culture, health, climate change, and nostalgia as well as relationships with prominent emigres from the area. Newry’s place in the wider world was also emphasised eg. Brexit coverage as it is a border town with the South of Ireland. Columba added “The meeting finished with a shared discussion on funding, collaboration and connection with the many diverse stakeholders.
The Public Interest News Foundation would like to build on the vision that emerged from the workshops, bringing local news innovators together with donors and investors to develop a sustainable ecosystem for local news.
At the International Journalism Conference in Italy which takes place from 19-23 April, the project leaders will present their findings and discuss how to revitalise local news by putting local communities in the driving seat.
Columba adds “I am so looking forward to not just taking part and putting Newry on the map but also in attending many of the amazing events at the International Journalism Festival. I am very aware that it is an incredible opportunity and a privilege to be asked to be part of the Public Interest News Foundation panel, speaking about the importance of local news, and helping the usually small enterprises that produce it, be sustainable.”
Columba concluded "I'd like to thank Jonathan Heawood, Public Interest News Foundation, Sameer Padania, Macroscope Consultancy and Adam Newby, NewsNow for all their help in making this happen and look forward to joining them along with Eliz Mizon from The Bristol Cable at the Festival."
Find out more about the festival at www.journalismfestival.com
Check out the Newry Local news plan at www.publicinterestnews.org.uk
