The decision of the Wellington based New Zealand Press Association (NZPA), the only private news agency of its type in the country, will hurt a number of small and medium newspapers, says an expert.
Alan Samson, Lecturer at the Massey University School of Communications, said the national news service provides a large amount of news copy that helps fill the inside pages of small provincial daily papers.
“Small independent newspapers could be among the biggest losers as NZPA closes down. Aside from covering and breaking their own stories, small papers like the Westport News rely on copy from NZPA for a lot of their news content. Therefore, they will be in real trouble,” he said.
The 132-year-old news agency recently announced that it pull down its shutters, after Fairfax Media said it was withdrawing its partnership (Indian Newslink, April 15, 2011). The Agency said it continue operating for another six months and would welcome alternative initiatives from its members.
Mr Samson said the closure would impact how news is routinely reported in some centres, which are ‘poorly served.’
He said smaller communities would no longer receive extensive reporting, while even city based news beats, including regular news roundup from organisations such as the Parliamentary Select Committees, would suffer.
“Some committees may simply now miss public scrutiny,” he said.
“The fact that the bulk of newspaper ownership is now in the hands of just two companies (Fairfax Media and APN News and Media) would dictate what news is reported and where.”
According to Mr Samson, the closure of NZP has been on the cards for some time and hence was anticipated, since Fairfax began vigorously developing networks within its own group. It may be able to offer work for some of the 40 or so displaced staff.
“The closing of the agency is terribly sad news. It is clearly a done deal and makes good sense for Fairfax on a purely financial basis, but is not good news for New Zealand journalism,” Mr Samson said.
