The loss of local news and the impact on regional development

Purpose For two decades, Australia’s regional news media outlets collapsed through closures, staff losses, amalgamations and de-localization. While researchers have paid some attention to these changes and their impacts on the provision of local news, the effects of the loss of locally based news media on regional development have received little attention. This article sets out to contribute to understanding how local regional news media contribute to regional development. Design/methodology/approach We explore the role of regional news media in relation to social, cultural and economic development as well as their contribution to the enhancement of well-being and living standards of regional communities. Entwining research into regional news media and regional development in Australia, this article probes the role and potential of regional news media in challenging progressivist narratives of regional development. Findings We conclude that regional news media must be supported because of the vital contribution they make to the regions in Australia. Research limitations/implications Further research can build on our discussion to explore how individuals and organizations in the regions are affected by the closure of regional media. Researchers need to immerse themselves in the regions that have experienced the loss of news media outlets to understand the mezzo- and micro- level effects. Practical implications This article has implications for Australian government policy on news media and sustainability of news media in regional Australia. Feasible interventions are needed to ensure regional news media’s continued existence and to enable them to fulfil the crucial roles they play. Social implications News media have a major social role in regional Australia as a community hub and connector. Their loss spreads outwards and throughout a community. Social, economic and health implications are tied to regional news media, which in turn have a role in regional development, which in turn links back to the health of a community at social, economic and other levels. Originality/value While researchers have paid some attention to the destruction of regional news media in Australia and their impacts on the provision of local news, the effects of the loss of locally based news media on regional development have received little attention.