Susanna Freymark
If I ever feel overwhelmed or isolated in my home newsroom typing stories, making decisions and downloading photos, I remind myself I am not the only one running an independent local news site.
Since joining LINA (Local and Independent News Association) when I went online with news in 2021, I have met (on screen) other people doing exactly the same thing in their neck of the woods, from WA to the city, people who are passionate about delivering local news, like I am.
I’ve always been firm about local news being free – and I work hard to make sure that happens.
LINA is running an Our News. Your Voice. campaign for local newsrooms across Australia. The campaign starts today, Monday, April 28.
For every donation a reader makes to a newsroom, LINA will match it.
If you donate to indynr.com here, LINA will donate the same amount. You can donate $5 or $100 – any amount you choose.
(LINA will match the first $10,000 donated across the campaign)
So, if you’ve been thinking about supporting your local news site, do it today or by May 4, when the LINA campaign ends.
There is absolutely no obligation. It is optional.
Just this week, a man in Kyogle said people would be happy to pay $1 or $2 for the Inky (the print-your-own newspaper). I said I didn’t want to do that because then it could only be at places where money could be received.
I like to see a local newspaper in the libraries, cafes, hairdressers, doctor waiting rooms – wherever people are.
The Inky is a new thing (6 weeks), IndyNR.com is in its fourth year and your support, LINA’s support, the contributors and grateful readers keep me going.
If you’d like to support us financially go here, contributions are managed by Press Patron which is a secure and safe way to donate.
Last year, when a similar campaign was run by LINA, $92,000 was raised from 941 individual donations, which was then matched, doubling individual contributions.
ABOUT LINA
Founded in 2021, the Local and Independent News Association is a not-for-profit industry body supporting digital news publishers.
WHY LINA WANTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS
Mass content syndication, prolific AI-fuelled misinformation and disinformation, and rushed reporting lacking nuance and diverse representation… These are some of the challenges all of us in the Australian public must contend with when it comes to accessing important news.
But in the midst of this media crisis, local and independent media organisations are rising tall to provide quality, accessible, verified and locally relevant news.
If only they knew how tall I am… thank you to everyone who keeps local news for Richmond Valley and Kyogle LGA thriving.