If the South Sydney Herald feels a little slimmer in your hands this month, it’s because we’ve (sadly) had to cut the paper back to eight pages.
Why?
The South Sydney Herald is one of the few non-profit, independent papers in Sydney and a Covid-related downturn in advertising revenue, and the loss of a major sponsor, means we’re now battling to make ends meet.
In 2020, lots of local papers have closed or gone exclusively digital.
And while we continue to build and broaden our digital presence, we remain committed to getting printed copies of the paper to social housing tenants and others for whom digital access is not a given.
Ultimately, it’s about equity and providing an independent and quality news service for all.
If you love your local paper here are a few practical things you can do to help us survive the pandemic.
- Assist us to find a sponsor for our Social Justice page (probably a larger agency or non-profit as the sponsorship package is considerable).
- Urge your local shopkeepers and businesses to advertise with us – see our print and digital options https://southsydneyherald.com.au/advertising/.
- Promote the online SSH Celebrate Community fundraiser/trivia night/auction/concert with MC Julie McCrossin AM, singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin, Gumbaynggir-Wiradjuri musician Tim Gray (Green Hand Band), and more. Save the date of December 11, 7pm to 8.30pm as well as your pennies so you can contribute – and tell all your friends to join online. You might even like to host a small group and think about where your group can connect and take part (we’d love to welcome small groups in various South Sydney locations).
You should also subscribe to our e-newsletter Update (https://bit.ly/2AX8nIY) to ensure you know when we’ve posted stories online.
The pandemic has presented the South Sydney Herald team with some of the most challenging months in the history of the paper – and it’s far from over.
As a recent piece in The Conversation said, “The newspapers under threat during the crisis connect people well beyond matters of politics and public interest. Our research shows that, in fact, it is often the social dimension of these newspapers that matters most. They are also bridges to the local advertisers deeply affected by this crisis, such as retail shops, cafes and restaurants.”
We’re a hub and a bridge. And with our loyal band of volunteers and mainstay advertisers we serve a brilliant community.
Meet us there.
