NewsCorp Australia has dealt a massive blow to local news coverage after it announced a closing of 14 community newspapers and 22 regional papers, and a transition to digital for a further 100.

The content that some of the soon-to-be-closed titles carry will be reassigned to other mastheads.

The transition and closures come as the latest in a line of local news shutdowns, impacting thousands of journalists.

For many regional towns and cities, locals have long-relied on their local newspaper to keep them informed of important stories and events. 

While some will transfer to digital in order to keep the papers alive, many residents aren’t in the position to pay for a NewsCorp digital subscription, restricting their access to important local news.

Closures and digital transitions will come into effect on 29 June, as outlined below. Metro papers The Courier-Mail, The Daily Telegraph, the Melbourne Herald Sun, and The Adelaide Advertiser will be tweaked to carry more state c

The NSW south coast will have a new digital radio station next month, called Kiama Community Radio.

Radioinfo reported that a number of local residents have volunteered to work on the new endeavour, which is aimed at listeners in the Kiama LGA from Minnamurra to as far west as Jamberoo. 

The team spent the past month on crowdfunding efforts, and is planning a one-hour weekly show over its official website, then expanding the content to webcasting and podcasts. Actress Diana McLaren has agreed to host the new show.

“The idea for KCR came about when we were all suddenly told to stay home, and all the ways we usually connect to each other were taken away from us, particularly for the older generations within our community. There’s a lot of global information available right now, but nothing that is specific to our own backyard,” said Graeme Gerashe, a member of the station’s organising team. 

“We are hoping that this new service will reignite ou

The Wimmera Mallee News in Wimmera, Victoria, has added a new publication to its roster, called the Horsham Times.

Premiering on May 29, the Horsham Times is actually a revival of the first Horsham Times that was in print from 1886 to 1959 when it merged with the West Wimmera Mail to become the Wimmera Mail-Times. 

The Mail-Times, however, was among the ACM titles shut down last month over lower ad revenues, along with sister titles Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser, and Horsham residents needed fresh news and information. 

Wimmera Mallee News managing editor David Ward said the plan calls to hire six people for the new Horsham Times’ editorial board and lease office space in Horsham proper. 

He also sees the move as a link to the past. 

"In the 1890s my great-grandfather George Ward came to Horsham and worked on the Horsham Times and ended up being the owner. The name was available and we felt there was a really strong family connection there

Lulu Custance has wrapped up her affairs at InStyle Australia. 

She had spent almost five years at the publication, the last 18 months of which as markets editor and fashion office manager.

Follow Custance on LinkedIn and on Instagram @lulucustance.