Where once there was little more than the market leaders - in our case BBC Wales, the Western Mail, the South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Sound - now there's a plethora of alternative sources for information.
As some Swansea Bay big guns have disappeared, the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians for example, the ground has become fertile for much smaller operators.
Afan FM and Radio Tircoed are wonderful community radio stations, there are small magazines such as Community Times and there are micro-local online-only resources cropping up. Additionally, of course, websites such as http://www.swansea.com/ carry news and information as an important part of their package.
But it's not a phenomenon restricted to this area. On Saturday I attended an inspirational conference a stone's throw from Kings Cross Station in London.
Below are some of the key observations made that day - not by me, incidentally - about local news and information provision. They won't be the last talking points on this dynamic issue which is fast affecting how communities of all descriptions are communicating.
Making local media pay (thanks to http://lifeofwylie.com/)
- Even despite the slump, good news operators are still getting by.
- It’s so important to look at the market – and whether you’re going to get advertisers.
- Locally-based businesses can survive on small profits which larger owners would not tolerate.
- Web success can be driven by regular emails to followers - and it's useful to be offers-led.
- Online advertising can include the creation of micro sites for clients.
- "It’s all those things about getting into people’s heads and finding out what they want.”
- “I think local newspapers have really destroyed (the market) for themselves. Established local media wouldn’t be in the mess it was now if it hadn’t got rid of experienced staff, leaving cheaper, younger, inexperienced people with no mentors."
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