Coast Community News is one of the survivors in Australia’s shrinking local regional news landscape, and we intend to build on that foundation by serving our community even more than before.
As national and international media outlets face ongoing cuts and closures, CCN continues to serve the Central Coast with trusted, independent journalism, thanks to the ongoing support of our readers, listeners and advertisers. B
ut the challenges are growing.
On World Press Freedom Day, Friday May 2, Reporters Without Borders released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, ranking Australia at 29th out of 180 countries
The annual index, which ranks countries based on the state of press freedom, shows that Australia is still in a precarious top 30 position.
While this marks an improvement from previous years, Australia still trails behind other democracies in key measures such as media independence, legal protections, and concentration of ownership.
While its always tempting to look to governments to fix the problems of the press, it is, as always up to local people to lead the changes that will grow our national prosperity.
Good governments of all persuasions listen when people seek genuine changes that improve their lives.
More broadly, Reporters Without Borders has declared the global media landscape a “difficult situation”, the worst classification since the index began in 2002.
The main threat is no longer just political pressure or censorship, it’s the economic collapse of independent newsrooms.
“Media outlets are vanishing, news deserts are growing, and journalists are being pushed to the margins,” the report said.
Here on the Central Coast, we feel this reality every day.
While big-media focuses on national headlines and celebrity scandals, it’s local journalists who keep watch on councils, track the records of state and federal MPs, amplify community voices, celebrate local successes and tell the stories that matter in our neighbourhoods.
Yet, advertising dollars too are being funnelled into the coffers of a few offshore tech companies whose algorithms are designed to foster distraction and division, often at the cost of accurate local news reporting.
A look to the north
In Norway, the nation that tops the global press freedom rankings again this year, local and regional news is broadly supported by communities.
The Norwegians see a direct relationship between a strong local media and the economic and cultural prosperity of their areas.
CCN is currently studying successful models in Norway to shore up and improve trustworthy local news reporting at home.
By examining the successes of the Norwegian media landscape, we plan on making our local media thrive.
That’s why Coast Community News is proud to stand with the Australian Local & Independent News Association (LINA) in its national campaign to strengthen independent media across Australia.
In the spirit of World Press Freedom Day, we’re asking our readers to consider supporting CCN’s local journalism.
Whether it’s through advertising, sponsorship, or small monthly donations, local support is what keeps genuine community journalism alive.
Speaking from Norway, CCN Managing Editor David Abrahams said: “We know trust in the national and international media is falling, but we also know trust in local news remains strong”.
“Our campaign isn’t just about funding stories, it’s about keeping a light on in the rooms where decisions are made. That’s the key role we play.”
In the year ahead, CCN will expand its reach into the community and continue to shine that light, holding power to account, sharing community voices, and delivering the news that matters on the Central Coast.
With your help, we can keep doing it and, in turn, grow the wellbeing and prosperity of our region.
To support independent local journalism, visit coastcommunitynews.com.au/donate
Or learn more about the national LINA campaign at lina.org.au
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