The Queensland Country Press Association (QCPA) is calling on all candidates to support a policy that ensures a fairer share of government advertising is directed to regional and local newspapers.
Wendy Creighton, president of the QCPA, highlighted the urgent need for this policy, stressing that the current allocation of government advertising disproportionately benefitted capital city media outlets and tech giants like Facebook, often to the detriment of local newspapers.
“What’s even more concerning is that significant government advertising funds are directed to social media platforms which have a well-documented record of spreading misinformation, mistruths, and viral content. These platforms do not provide the same level of accountability or trusted local reporting that regional newspapers offer,” she said.
“As we approach this election campaign, more than 60 independent local newspapers across regional Queensland will be reporting extensively on grassroots issues,” Wendy Creighton said.
“In fact, in regional areas, these newspapers are often the only medium that reports extensively on local election issues and local candidates across Queensland.
“They are also often the only forum where important debates happen and where communities can hold their local representatives and other powerful institutions accountable.”
Wendy Creighton underscored the role of regional newspapers in providing a platform for democratic debate and community engagement, which is often missing from social media and larger metropolitan outlets.
“Regional and community newspapers ensure that local voices are heard, from the smallest towns to larger regional centres. They shine a light on issues that matter most to local residents, issues that are often overlooked by national media. This makes them the backbone of democracy in regional Queensland.
“Without these newspapers, regional communities would lose the only trusted platform they have for informed debate, transparent reporting, and genuine accountability. Yet the majority of government advertising dollars are funnelled into platforms like Facebook, which does not serve the same public interest and instead fosters an environment where misinformation can spread unchecked,” she said.
Creighton pointed out that, in many regional areas, newspapers are the most trusted and reliable source of government and community messaging, offering essential information that impacts people’s daily lives.
“Our newspapers give a voice to the voiceless and provide scrutiny where it’s most needed. Their role in holding the powerful to account is irreplaceable, especially in rural and regional Queensland.
“Our local news coverage gets taken for granted, and so does regional Queensland. The good news is there is a simple, proven, and cost-free fix,”
The QCPA is calling on the next Queensland government to adopt a policy similar to Victoria’s, which mandates a minimum of one page per week of government advertising and community messaging in every regional and community newspaper. This would not only help inform local communities but also ensure a fairer distribution of advertising resources.
“This policy has wide-spread political support, but it needs to be an urgent priority for the next government,” Creighton concluded.
