ACM put the print editions of many of it's regional papers, including 'Port News' & Port Express' on hold in April in response to the coronavirus-induced downturn in the advertising market;

ACN boss Catalano says publication of these titles will resume as soon as possible, but it will depend on factors such as the pace at which lockdown restrictions are eased.

He adds that there are signs of an upturn in the advertising market - I don't think so Tony ! But good luck anyway.

Recently, as reported here on PortMac.News, the union for members of the media and arts industries has launched a petition imploring Australian Community Media (ACM) to reopen the regional and rural titles it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a heartfelt letter addressed to ACM CEO Allen Williams, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) said the titles have belonged to communities for decades and as such the communities deserve to have them reinstated.

Twitter : MEAA

@withMEAA

'Regional communities need and deserve better. Stop the closure of local mastheads'

“Right now, our regional communities need relevant, factual news more than ever. Your decision to shut down newspapers across the country — without warning, consultation, or any promise that they will return in the same capacity — leaves our communities high and dry, at a time when we need to be connected and informed,” reads the letter.

“ACM may currently own the affected publications now, but they have belonged to our communities for many decades and generations, through the wars, the depressions and countless natural disasters. We are deeply saddened and disappointed with the way ACM has handled this decision, with no transparency for staff or for readers.”

The MEAA goes on to make the point that for some community members, the internet is not an option which means they can't receive news from PortMac.News, leaving only local newspapers to provide the ‘vital service’ of keeping Australians informed.

“We know that the promise you made to loyal subscribers of ‘limited news coverage’ will sometimes be only one person writing for multiple mastheads. It’s just not good enough.”

The petition implores the publisher to reopen every title to its pre-COVID-19 capacity, undertake every possible attempt to secure government support, communicate openly with staff and be transparent about the closures and roles impacted.

The petition asks Australians who are concerned about the lack of local news to reach out to ACM and their local government members regarding the closures.

The MEAA has already been open about its plans to investigate ACM following the decision to close four printing presses and suspend a number of non-daily titles across the country.

The union said it may be necessary to take Australian Community Media to the Fair Work Commission over the incident, citing the ‘disrespectful’ manner staff were treated.

According to the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI), 150 newsrooms have been closed since January 2019 with the number rising steeply after the outbreak of COVID-19.

As of today, PortMac.News is unable to confirm any return dates for either 'Port News' or 'Port Express'.

Our local news agent tells us that he has not had any notification from ACM as to if or when those papers may return but thinks that the papers may be back '...By maybe by the end of June...'