Judith Collins – 
I spend my working week as an MP in Wellington immersed in a 24-hour news cycle, surrounded by the incessant noise of constant instant tweets, Facebook updates and blog posts. So one of the things I look forward to most is sitting outside in the sun at my home, reading the weekend papers over a cup of good coffee.
I like to read something with more substance than 140 characters. I like to know the person who has written it has actually done some research, and has the backing of an organisation that adheres to professional standards, and has some integrity too.
Drying resources
But the rise of social media has caused many problems for traditional print media and I often wonder what the future holds for the good old broadsheet.
Traditionally, print media was funding through the support of advertisers and sponsors but those revenue sources have simply dried up. It appears people are now getting their ‘news’ through fast and furious social media channels. Traditional outlets seem to be on the back foot, and seem not to know how to respond to this latest challenge.
Newspapers are trying to jump on the social media bandwagon by changing the way their news is delivered. Shorter ‘snackable’ stories, more video content, live streaming, and blogging and tweeting journalists are all now commonplace in the mainstream media.
To me, it’s a bit like playing catch-up by trying to appeal to a younger ‘social media savvy’ audience.
Impractical approach
But it’s pretty clear this approach isn’t working – the print media is still under threat with advertising revenues down and journalists being laid off everywhere.
It doesn’t seem that this is what the readers actually want, and if newspapers continue down this path, the future looks rather bleak.
But does it have to be? I don’t think so.
I think the real challenge for the print media is to innovate. To move away from past practices that are no longer relevant and stop trying to shoe-horn old ways onto new technology platforms. Technology has changed the media landscape for good, so it’s time to look for new ways of giving readers what they want.
Analytical reporting
I think people are still wanting to read in-depth journalism they can trust. And that comes from personal engagement, quality reporting and community connection delivered across flexible platforms. Readers like to have a personal and vested interest in what they are reading. You just can’t get that in 140 characters or less.
That’s why I am thrilled to see Indian Newslink has continuously sought to extend and expand the newspaper with high standards of journalism, content, design and production.
It’s encouraging and exciting as we look towards the Anniversary Special of Indian Newslink that its new owner, Jacob Mannothra, has recognised the value in investing in the paper for the future.
It is very heartening to see Indian Newslink facing the future head on, and I look forward to continuing to read a quality publication.
My heartfelt congratulations to all the team at Indian Newslink on its Anniversary Special and I can’t wait to see the new look!
Judith Collins is Member of Parliament since 2002. She was elected from Clevedon and following electorate boundary changes, she has been representing the Papakura since 2008.
During her time as lead Minister of the Justice sector, Ms Collins championed reform of New Zealand’s Justice system. She prioritised putting victims at the heart of the Justice system by introducing and passing legislation to strengthen the rights of victims and expanding opportunities for them to be involved in the justice process. She also introduced non-contact orders to prohibit offenders from having any contact with the victim.
