The internet revolution
The internet changed the landscape of regional news in the UK.
The consumer model for processing news has changed from regular consumption of the mass media to "sporadic" grazing on the internet. The regional newspaper is no longer the only source of local news.
Newspapers must move with the timesMost regional newspapers in the UK have a corresponding website but these sites are not financially viable enough to support a newsroom. Media experts like Nick Booth and Dan Mason believe the future of news is online. The problem is monetising and adapting the newsroom to the internet.
"Local and regional newspapers, instead of recognising that the internet was going to be playing an increasingly important role and instead of investing and being at the forefront, have allowed our key markets to disappear," Mr Mason said.
"The internet has had a profound influence; we didn't invest enough over the last five years in particular to mitigate in any way the crisis we're now in."
Online audiences growing
While readership and circulation of regional print newspapers has been decreasing, many media companies have reported increases in online audiences.
Johnston Press reported unique users on their websites were up 49% and page impressions up 168% in 2008. Trinity Mirror reported a 30% increase in unique users on their websites. Newspapers are finding it difficult to transfer their business model to the internet as revenues collapse.
"The regional newspaper industry is caught between a rock and a hard place," said Mr Mason.
"It knows that future revenues lie online but it's not in a position to capitalise on that or doing anything about it at this moment. They're too far behind."
James Hatts runs a London-based hyperlocal paper and website. He publishes a weekly a newspaper but relies on the website for revenue.
Mr Hatts said: "The website has grown into something that stands on its own two feet. We still do the print publication as well but the website is a lot more than just the website of the printed publication."
Regional newspapers must change their business model to embrace the internet and gain revenue, but they have been slow to adapt. Read>>>