A tumultuous mediascape continues with confirmation that News Corp will close down seven of its newspapers shortly. All publications form a part of the company’s Local Leader Community Newspaper group and include the Melbourne Leader, the Berwick Leader, the Brimbank Leader, the Free Press Leader, the Hobsons Bay Leader, the Melton Leader, and the Wyndham Leader.
Mumbrella reports that the closures are expected by the month’s end, with up to eight redundancies to occur. A News Corp spokesperson commented to the website: “News Corp Australia continues to reshape its business to meet the needs of its audiences and commercial partners, and is confidently investing in areas that will provide returns over the long term.
“Leader Community News will be focusing its investment on brands which have strong audience engagement and solid advertising market share, and will be investing in, and rejuvenating, its portfolio of community titles. However, the reality is that in today’s fragmented market there is more competition than ever before and in some of our smaller markets, publishing a printed publication is not sustainable.”
Media Entertainment Arts Alliance Victorian director Carolyn Dunbar is disappointed by the news: “This is another devastating cut for community news. Local communities need local news and the closure of these mastheads will have a significant impact on these communities.”
News Corp's newspaper closures come alongside the news of changes ahead for the company's The Saturday Telegraph. The publication will shut down its accompanying Best Weekend and Kidspot magazine, replacing the duo with BW Magazine.
