I read with interest and some dismay the Goulburn Post lead story on Monday 14th about a proposed “Council newspaper” in town.
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As a long-time political campaigner, I’ve never found the Goulburn Post to be a great friend of the ALP. Having said that, there have been more enlightened times, when alternative points of view have surfaced and been given copy.
But I have been disappointed by the continuing failure of the Post to adequately cover the absenteeism of our local state member or holding her to account for the continued considerable loss of local jobs and services, abuses of position, the nothing -happening hospital redevelopment, the threat to the future of the Police Academy and the imminent demise of TAFE programs and services. Huge public sector job cuts and not a whimper! Leading to a large fall in spending power in the city
It makes me ask myself “Does anyone really care?”
It is clear that the changes to regional Fairfax media policy are hitting our local country papers hard. Consolidation and mergers are one thing – closure is another. I would hate to see that the development of a Council newspaper could be used by Fairfax to rationalise further and close the Goulburn Post – one of our significant historic facts is that Goulburn has had a viable newspaper since 1848.
I do care too about those at the Post who struggle to get out a worthy country paper day in and day out. They are honest hardworking members of our community contributing to the town and providing a service to us all. The City would be much the worse without our paper.
Before the Council makes its decision, on our behalf, we as a community need to be very clear about the role our local paper has in shaping our community.
Would a Council newspaper offer an excuse to regional Fairfax for our Goulburn Post to be wound back or wound up? Would a ‘Council paper’ offer the community a range of views? Who would have editorial control? Would it become a mouthpiece for the Liberal controlled Council? Would it cover community events? Sport? Death notices? Promote local businesses?
Our Liberal governments are abandoning regional Australia. We need to do our best to support local jobs, local news stories, and local celebrations – and do nothing to jeopardise the commercial viability of the Goulburn Post.
There have been some many issues of importance to the community fought out in Goulburn aided by the Post and 2GN. I doubt these issues would see the light of day with a “Council Paper” Council for better or worse shouldn’t fear media scrutiny and transparency, it is healthy and contributes to good governance of our community.
Bob Stephens, Goulburn