NewsLocal pulls back on local presence and trials roving reporters
News Limited’s NSW suburban newspaper division NewsLocal has closed more than half a dozen suburban newspaper offices across Sydney in the last 18 months.
The money-saving move comes at the same time that the company also experiments with roving reporters out in the community who do not work from a newsroom base.
In most instances the company has moved the affected storefront offices to sister suburban publications within the vicinity of the newspaper although almost all of these offices have been outside the geographical area covered by the title.
Since mid-2011, The Wentworth Courier, The Inner West Courier and The Southern Courier have all been moved to the company’s Holt Street headquarters in Surry Hills.
Nic,
Northside magazine closed but the North Sydney office remains open: it houses the Mosman Daily and North Shore Times.
Are these roving members of staff able to work from home? Is this is a sign of:
1) The money falling out of printed newspapers?
2) The great changes in the way technology is making offices less essential?
I know many small businesses which are based from home, because they easily can be. Why shouldn’t it be different for larger companies?
I would love to hear about flexible workplace idea’s and strategies, with examples of companies practicing this and benefiting as a result.
I certainly feel that a local newspaper could be operated in a flexible way. it would save the publisher costs on rent and keep staff happy. Win, win.
I agree Interested, its sounds sensible to me.
you forgot to mention the very first move: the Mt Druitt Standard was moved to the Penrith press office in High St, Penrith.
Interested: what happens to your work if you’re working at home with young children present? The parent company already believes sub-editors are unnecessary!