500 editions show the vital role of regional newspapers

Editorial

Regional newspapers are more than just a source of news; they are the living record of a community, the heart of a region’s identity.

They report impartially on current events, shine a light on powerful forces, and celebrate the achievements of local people and organisations.

When regional news thrives, so too does community life, because a trusted local newspaper provides the common ground on which informed conversations can take place.

In recent years, many hundreds of regional news services around the world have closed their doors.

This has been the result of a consistent undermining of advertising revenues by offshore digital giants, most of whom show little regard for the wellbeing of local regions.

Instead, their platforms often amplify misinformation and disinformation under the guise of news, corroding public trust and discouraging investment confidence.

The loss of a local news outlet is more than a commercial failure; it is a wound to the civic life of a region.

Coast Community News has endured despite these challenges.

We have done so by holding firm to a commitment to regionalism, reporting for, with, and about the Central Coast.

That commitment is evident in these pages, on our website, in our radio bulletins, and across our digital platforms.

It is reflected in the tens of thousands of readers who continue to pick up and engage with CCN every week, and in the 25,000 stories that now form part of our archive, a living record of the Coast’s modern history.

Above all, it is the dedication of our journalists, freelancers, and contributors that sustains this mission.

Their experience, integrity, and level-headedness provide the backbone of our coverage.

In an era where trust in media is under strain, their work creates a haven where local conversations can flourish.

As we mark our 500th edition, we reaffirm the essential role of regional newspapers.

Independent, impartial and grounded in the communities they serve, they are not just chroniclers of local life but defenders of democracy and builders of community identity.

The Central Coast deserves nothing less.

David Abrahams – Managing Editor