Accy Observer

[mrprvaughan]

Looking at all the responses from the thread about the Observer, what do people look for in a local newspaper?

[garinda]

First and foremost local news.

Not what's happening thirty miles away.

My own personal preference would be for a local newspaper that had more things to actually read in it, rather than page upon page of photographs of children/pets/glasses wearers/hunks/honeys etc.

[Mancie]

big tits..places to find cheap booze and issues about tennis courts and stuff.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Local adverts, local jobs, local happenings....in fact the observer of the past was a very popular paper.
I think it went downhill when it was absorbed by the Manchester Evening News group.

[jaysay]

Think the final Nail in the Observers Coffin is the retirement of Editor Mervin Kay

[theprisoner]

I remember several years ago, someone suggested to me that someday newspapers may go by the wayside. I laughed. I liked reading the newspaper. However as the years have pasted by that statement is slowly bearing some truth.

The emergence of the Internet over the last few years has massively effected newspapers. I can now read a national paper or my local paper online for free as and when I want to.

The one thing papers had over the Internet a few years back was that they were social (as in you read them in cafes and pub's and leave a copy…then someone else picks it up, and you discuss the day’s news). The emergence of sites like this very one we are on now has seen the social aspect of newspapers move online as we share links to the days news and discuss it.

Until I had access to the Internet I had both national and local newspapers delivered to my house everyday. Now I have none delivered and very rarely buy a paper at all.

For newspapers to continue to exist their form will have to change drastically (to what, I’m not sure).

[Margaret Pilkington]

While I agree with you in some respects, about newspapers suffering from the online revolution in reading habits.......I like to read my newspaper with my cup of tea and slice of toast....so the online version does not satisfy this criteria.......I also know folk who take the newspaper to the little reading room(toilet).

[Lampman]

Well the news that the 'Observer and Rossendale free Press will share the same Editor seems to have put a cap on it.
The MGN management now see Rossendale and Hyndburn as one district!
Anyway happy retirement to Mervyn he's certainly seen some changes.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

While I agree with you in some respects, about newspapers suffering from the online revolution in reading habits.......I like to read my newspaper with my cup of tea and slice of toast....so the online version does not satisfy this criteria.......I also know folk who take the newspaper to the little reading room(toilet).

I agree Margaret, I like my paper in the morning especially on Sunday during the footy season. I used to get the LT every night but cancelled it 18 months ago, simply because I can go on line and read it there, as for the Observer Web Site in comparison its crap, an utter waste of space

[Less]

Originally Posted by mrprvaughan

Looking at all the responses from the thread about the Observer, what do people look for in a local newspaper?

Perhaps, you are playing stable door, shut it, before the horse has bolted?

Even 18 months/2 years ago a different reply would have been given to your question.

As it is, if you are now trying in some sort of official capacity to find what went wrong, I think Rindy's post more or less explains it.

If we are to be willing to pay for a local paper we want local news.

[shillelagh]

im just grateful no one with a camera were around yesterday ...

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

While I agree with you in some respects, about newspapers suffering from the online revolution in reading habits.......I like to read my newspaper with my cup of tea and slice of toast....so the online version does not satisfy this criteria.......I also know folk who take the newspaper to the little reading room(toilet).

I remember the days when newspaper was the only thing we had to wipe our asses on .... of course, I've read papers, like the Toronto Sun for eg. that are not even fit for that fundamental purpose

[Margaret Pilkington]

hmm, yes we always had newspaper on a string in the lavvy......it was the News of the world, and at that time it was a broadsheet and we used to try to piece all the bits together to read about the vicar and the showgirl......there was always a bit missing....you had to assume that it had gone down the tippler.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

hmm, yes we always had newspaper on a string in the lavvy......it was the News of the world, and at that time it was a broadsheet and we used to try to piece all the bits together to read about the vicar and the showgirl......there was always a bit missing....you had to assume that it had gone down the tippler.

Think the tippler is an item for the nostalgia section Margaret

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Think the tippler is an item for the nostalgia section Margaret

Oh I thought it was a hidey hole for a quick swig of stout.