Guest 720- Registered: 20 Jul 2011
- Posts: 114
As an avid reader of local newspapers wherever I have lived, I have been interested to see a couple of facts and figures about Dover's journals.
Firstly, I noticed a few weeks ago that the cover price of the Dover Express went up by 5p to 65p and at the beginning of September the Mercury followed suit, also increasing by 5p to 85p. How long before we have a £1 local paper, I wonder?
Then I was interested to read in this week's Mercury that the latest circulation figures issued by the Audit Bureau of Circulation have revealed that the Dover Express sold 6,719 copies a week on average from January to June this year, while the Mercury (East Kent Mercury and Dover Mercury combined) sold 10,635. As both papers cover Dover, Deal and Sandwich (the Express with one edition and the Mercury with two) I presume these are a fair comparison.
I am reliably informed by someone who has lived in Dover longer than I have, that at one stage the Express was selling 20,000 copies, so that's quite a drop over the years.
It makes you wonder what the future is for local newspapers, with the increase in the use and popularity of the internet and facilities such as the Dover Forum. While the Forum has its part to play in local news coverage and debates, it doesn't replace the printed word (and picture). Both papers have their own websites, of course, and perhaps that's the way they see things going.
It would be a sad day, I think, if local papers ceased to exist - they have been a valued part of the community for many years, and I hope they will continue for many years to come.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Even with a cover price at £1. Weekly sales incomes of £7k and £11K (or thereabouts) respectively, does not bode well for the future.
The revenue from advertising must count for a great deal in the Local Newspaper business, yet increases in cover price mitigate against sales, which in turn, must reduce advertising revenue...and so it goes on.
This downward trend is not confined to local press alone. The nationals too are feeling the pinch, and are each beginning to more closely resemble 'Exchange & Mart', as their acreage is increasingly taken up with advertising.
I admit to coming to the conclusion myself some years ago that a Council could save money by printing it's own Free-Sheet to spread the word on all matters of Public Regulation;Planning Applications etc.
Yes, these Free-Sheets are also used to promote what councils are doing, to the chagrin of Mr. Pickles, but I have had a change of heart, and now see that the Local Press are also a great asset to a community and are worth preserving, even if that means returning to Councils publishing their announcements through them.
I have read that the proprietors of many of Kent's titles are committed to their role of Public Service. Perhaps they too could view their enterprises as less of a cash cow and be prepared to do their bit to increase and deepen local coverage?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think the end of printed local newspapers will eventually come, they will survive on the internet and draw revenue from advertising based on how many viewings each advert gets.
with 24 hour rolling news a weekly publication cannot keep pace, usually tuesday is the cut off date for an edition that comes out 9 days later.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
I thought tuesday was the cutoff date for the edition that comes out two days later on thursday. It certainly was when I used to write the occasional article for the Dover Express. I always left it to the last minute - my whole life is like that unfortunately. Brinksmanship of that order is the last thing a local newspaper needs in the run up to publication!
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
You are right Ed, cut-off is Tuesday lunchtimeish for publication Thursday (at least it is for the Express group).
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
Thanks Neil. We always get both local newpapers and I shall be very sorry to see the printed versions disappear although I suspect that it is inevitable now that the whole world is on line.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
should have worded it better, i take cut off day to mean the last day for that weeks edition.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Party Political pressure to steer clear of public scrutiny by a resourced and resourceful local journalist into the workings of Local Government verses Party Political pressure for the discontinuation of these Free-Sheets will probably lead to the doing-away with the current necessity for Regulatory Matters to be widely circulated to the Electorate/local residents.
Plenty of time for issues of this nature to find their way into the Manifestos of prospective local councillors...or to become a dead-issue by that time.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
For 99p I can buy 100 year old papers - much more interesting
Been nice knowing you :)
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
cant say i would be sorry to see one of the two go as sadly it decided years ago to put down rather help those trying to make a difference
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
