There are signs that the Australian regional newspaper industry is contracting in much the same way as that in the United States and Britain.
In what is being described as the first systematic closure of Australian paid-for newspapers, a publisher has announced the end of two long-standing but unprofitable titles — the Tweed Daily News and the Coffs Coast Advocate.
The Tweed title will survive only on Saturday, for just 50c, and the Advocate will continue to be distributed free on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
APN News & Media said the closures of the News South Wales papers would mean the loss of 35 jobs. It was looking now to a digital future.
APN publishes more than 56 community newspapers and non-daily publications. The company reported a $98m (£61.8m) loss for the six months to 30 June compared with a $40m (£25.2m) profit for the same period last year.
The Irish company Independent News & Media has a 32.3% stake in APN.
Footnote: I note that the closures were reported by Stephen Brook, once of this parish and now The Australian's media editor. So he has a lot of experience charting newspaper decline.
Sources: The Australian/Crikey
