WA government spends $2 million to prop up ailing regional newspapers

The advertisements include government messages and initiatives including public safety measures like cyclone and bushfire preparedness; the 16 Days in WA family and domestic violence campaign; reducing alcohol-related harm; and encouraging recycling.

The program has Examiner Newspapers publisher Tim Mayne scratching his head after missing out on advertising while its sister independent publication based in Midland, The Echo, was included.

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The Examiner is distributed across Perth’s south-east and out to Serpentine Jarrahdale and Mayne said government messages around bushfire preparedness and domestic violence were important ones for his communities.

“I’m concerned to hear the paper was left out of the progress, given it has a strong regional focus and the messages the government proposes to address affect my local community,” he said.

The newspapers were selected by a media buying agency contracted to the government.

Advertising spending for each newspaper depended on advertising rates negotiated by the media buyer and frequency of publication.

Seven West Media did not respond to a request for comment.

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