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September 7, 2009

Press Gazette September issue: Why the future of journalism is local…very local

By Dominic Ponsford1

For big media – times have never looked tougher.

But for individual journalists, passionate about the communities they live in – there may never have been a better time to become editor, publisher and owner of your own hyperlocal website.

sept_front_page by you.

In the September issue of Press Gazette we speak to journalists running hyperlocal blogs in the UK and US who are paying themselves a living wage – and we find out what the break-even figure is in terms of web traffic for a local news site.

With the future of The Observer still in question, former President of the National Union of Journalists Denis MacShane MP writes an impassioned plea for the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper to be saved from the axe.

The end of the free newspaper war. As thelondonpaper faces closure, we reflect on the winners and losers of the great London free newspaper war of 2006-2009.

Magazine ABCs. Most titles may have lost sales in the first half of this year but we find out how five editors have bucked the trend and built their readership.

Inside the Daily Mail. It is probably the most successful UK national newspaper of the last two decades, but also among the most secretive. After being granted rare access to the Mail’s Kensington headquarters, Ciar Byrne has an in-depth report from inside editor Paul Dacre’s Daily Mail.

Advertorials. With pressure building on journalists to blur the line between advertising and editorial, four leading editors explain where they draw the line.

Meeting the Bullivants. Chris Bullivant talks to Press Gazette in the wake of his recent row with Trinity Mirror over the closure of nine newspapers in the Midlands which he says he might have been prepared to buy. He also explains why he, and his son (also Chris), are bullish about the future of free newspapers.

There’s also:

  • Exclusive mag-only columns by David Banks, Grey Cardigan, Camilla Wright and Peter Kirwan.
  • A two-page section on freelancing in which journalists from varying sectors report back on whether they are yet seeing the greenshoots of recovery.
  • A new job-finding column from the UK’s leading editorial headhunter, Martin Tripp.
  • And insight for editors on how to balance a meagre budget and still bring out a fantastic product from Peter Sands.

To subscribe to Press Gazette: Call 01858 438872.

The current offer is 12 issues for £90, with a 2gb USB stick thrown in. Quote code: JU09.

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