‘Come in Houston’ … County Down’s online newspaper Down News still on upward trajectory
Down News, which was set up in October 2009 as a FREE, hyperlocal newspaper, is continuing its upward trajectory and the sky is the limit. Many people now access free apps etc for the local, regional national and international news.
Down News was the first online newspaper website in Northern Ireland that used social media apps, mainly X (Twitter) and Facebook.
Within the first year on being on social media platform Facebook, the annual performance revealed 540,000 page views in 2011 and this was a contributory factor for Down News as an innovative local media business in County Down winning the Best Use of Social Media category in the legacy Down District Council awards.
A lot of water has run under the bridge in the past 15 years, some of it dark, dirty and turbulent, but Down News has continued to reach out to the local community and write articles, features, provide photographic cover of events in news and sport. Down News IS part of the local community.
Towards the end of 2025 having just gained over a million page views on Facebook a month this figure has grown considerably to well over a million each month into 2026. Currently Down News has already reached its 2025-26 target of 10 million page views on Facebook.
(Photo: Selfie!)
Jim Masson owner of Down News, said: “I wasn’t quite expecting to hit this figure so early over the holidays. In the last two quarters of 2025 in particular, my viewing figures increased dramatically but they had been increasing through the whole year progressively.
“I am delighted with this and it is a testament to the people in our local area seeing Down News as part of the complex and ever-changing news media now on offer.
“To this end I have committed myself on an endless journey of education in all things on media matters.
“I can remember from my first days, having completed my marketing research then doing a business plan at the Down Business Centre, everything looked promising. But just after the launch date in 2009, the recession really took off and businesses largely pulled back their advertising on print media which has struggled since. And the promised digital advertising boom blew up in mid air. But it was not technically ‘mission aborted.’ Plan B kicked in.
“‘Every strategy is just a means to action and I revised my business plan and it still works. Occasionally I tweak it. I survive year on year because of the strong support I have in the Down community and from my family, and I just always have been a dogged worker.
“As I clear the gravity of the earth this year and head out into the voids of news’ outer space, I know I am not the only space traveller looking for fortune in a universe torn with conflict but beautiful in its creation. But the difficulty in any space flight, is not getting into outer space but getting back again safely to ground. There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip!
“So keep the information and articles flowing folks. It’s very much appreciated. The modern 21st century ethos of Down News speaks for itself.
“It is fair, open, honest, empathetic, and not aligned to any particular segment of the community or party within. It is apolitical and non-sectarian. All parties are treated equally. That is the best I can offer… treating everyone with respect and dignity. And I also expect in return to be treated likewise.
“Recently, I have slowed down using Twitter (X) because of the Grok dispute re sexualised image creation and Elon Musk dragging his heels on the use of these sordid images. Thankfully, the government put its foot down on this issue firmly.
“And I will be looking into some key aspects around advertising this year with interest. And all businesses and organisations are welcome to contact me at Down News for an advertising quotation to help promote their business.
“So I’ll continue my wee campaigns and hope that everyone enjoys the offerings on Down News. I mean to grow a team going forward and I will not be standing still. My booster rockets are ready to ignite!”.
If you have any stories, articles, leads, photos, reports for news or sports, dock in to Down News at:
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 07855545873.
https://twitter.com/downnewsltd
Address:
Down News, Office 1, Knowledge House, Down Business Centre, 46 Belfast Road, Downpatrick, BT30 9UP.
