WA government spends $2 million to prop up ailing regional newspapers

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

WA government spends $2 million to prop up ailing regional newspapers

By Hamish Hastie

The state government plans to spend $2 million on continuous advertising space in regional and outer-metro newspapers, including Seven West Media’s 19 regional titles, to help keep them afloat as shrinking marketing budgets and higher printing costs crunch smaller outfits.

“Phase one” of the support for WA regional papers scheme began in 2023 with no public announcement using $1 million from the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s existing advertising budget.

The money is spent on advertising in regional papers.

The money is spent on advertising in regional papers.Credit: Louie Douvis

The scheme was only made public after the May WA budget included a line item detailing a further $1 million for “phase two” over the 2024-25 financial year.

The money is used to purchase regular advertisements in outer-metro and regional titles, including 10 independent and Australian Community Media operations. Nearly two-thirds of the money will be spent on ads in 19 Seven West Media titles.

A state government spokesman cited recommendations from a 2022 federal standing committee report into regional newspapers that recommended government departments develop long-term advertising contracts with papers that provide certainty of income.

“In response, the WA government committed $1 million in 2023-24 to place regular advertisements across 29 regional and outer-metropolitan newspapers,” he said.

“A further $1 million has been allocated for 2024-25 for ongoing advertisement placements in regional newspapers, helping to keep regional newspapers in print and supporting jobs in our regional communities.

Newspapers benefitting from the funding

  • 19 Seven West Media mastheads

  • Collie River Valley Bulletin

  • Denmark Bulletin

  • Esperance Weekender

  • Mandurah Mail

  • Toodyay Herald

  • The Northam Advertiser

  • Northern Valley News

  • Farm Weekly

  • Have A Go News

  • Echo News

“Western Australian regional newspapers are essential to local communities across the state, but many are struggling to stay in publication due to the rising costs of production.”

Advertisement

The advertisements include government messages and initiatives including public safety measures like cyclone and bushfire preparedness; the 16 Days in WA family and domestic violence campaign; reducing alcohol-related harm; and encouraging recycling.

The program has Examiner Newspapers publisher Tim Mayne scratching his head after missing out on advertising while its sister independent publication based in Midland, The Echo, was included.

Loading

The Examiner is distributed across Perth’s south-east and out to Serpentine Jarrahdale and Mayne said government messages around bushfire preparedness and domestic violence were important ones for his communities.

“I’m concerned to hear the paper was left out of the progress, given it has a strong regional focus and the messages the government proposes to address affect my local community,” he said.

The newspapers were selected by a media buying agency contracted to the government.

Advertising spending for each newspaper depended on advertising rates negotiated by the media buyer and frequency of publication.

Seven West Media did not respond to a request for comment.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Most Viewed in Politics

Loading