12 October 2023
With the new October edition out this week, the printed version of the North Sydney Sun will go on hiatus.
According to North Sydney Sun publisher Grahame Lynch, the Federal Government’s decision to so far not renew the Regional and Local Newspaper Publishers program this financial year, which helped fund the printing costs of well over 100 local and regional titles, is the catalyst behind the timing of the decision.
“It’s with some regret I have come to this decision,” Lynch said. “Print is still clearly the most effective way to reach an entire local community, particularly with the algorithms of social media now firmly set against visibility of news sites.”
“The funding from the federal government for last financial year was really important in helping us defray print costs.”
Lynch said that the print edition of the Sun was incredibly resource and time intensive and that he no longer felt the desire to subsidise it from other business operations.
“We will continue to report on local news via our website and Facebook group, as well as looking to extend our presence across other platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn,” he said, adding that there would likely be a greater emphasis on business news.
“To those people who supported our print edition via readership, advertising or patronising an advertiser or an advertised event, I offer a big thankyou,” Lynch said.
“There is great satisfaction for us in knowing that we added something to a community, particularly given we launched during COVID,” he added.
Lynch said there may be a return to print if advertiser demand warranted it, particularly around elections when political candidates were keen to reach North Sydney readers.
But with financial and time resources freed up by the decision to put print on hold, the North Sydney Sun aspires to enhance reporting on the affairs of the local community, subject to reader feedback.
“If you liked the Sun’s print output we urge you to come online and either sign up to receive news via our website or to join out Facebook group where we regularly post news,” Lynch said.
“And if business conditions change and circumstances warrant it, perhaps we will return in people’s letterboxes sooner than later.”