Down News online: the who, why where what when and how it operates
Below is a guide to Down News, a free online newspaper based in Downpatrick covering news and sport in County Down.
Who ?
I became a news photographer in 2000 after spending 19 years running a chip shop previously in the picturesque sea-side village of Ardglass. I was a keen amateur photographer back then (writes Jim Masson.)
Since then I have worked as senior photographer, a columnist in a weekly newspaper and had a spell for a time as editor for a fishing industry monthly journal.
But in 2009 I had developed the idea of a hyperlocal blog for Down after talking to my son who had worked in the USA. I researched online newspapers in Australia and the concept innovatively firmed up to reality when I got two Ulster University students to make up a basic news website with interactive social media. It was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland for the media – a FREE to use news website with Facebook and Twitter applications.
I won the legacy Down District Council awards in 20011 for Best Use of Social Media but on the back of the recession back then, sustainability was difficult and digital advertising wasn’t what I expected.
However, I persisted and I have now grown the news platform to a respectable size with a healthy digital footprint and I’m ready for the next phase of business development.
I’ve been a life-long learner and have acquired an honours degree in politics, and two post grad diplomas (in rural development and social enterprise). I also have certificates in diverse areas such as health and safety. social media and even counselling. And I’ve attended many one day courses in journalism.
Over the week I run the website myself with contributions from politicians, local councils, community groups, health trusts, educational bodies, government departments, QUANGOS, charities, sporting bodies and many other sources including individuals. I have one part-time photographer at the moment.
Why ?
Initially I saw the news website as creating an opportunity for people who were in rural and deprived areas mainly as gaining FREE and easy access to the news stream if they had broadband.
Openreach has recently said that there is a 90% uptake in full fibre. Back in 2009 broadband was not very extensive but in recent years coverage has increased enormously therefore expanding the scope of accessibility for Down News.
Down News can now be read anywhere in the world if the reader has internet access and there are ex-pats who do enjoy a surf through the website. It was in the past month read in United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, United States, Germany, Pakistan, India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Australia, and other countries.
So today Down News has evolved into a more sophisticated FREE hyperlocal blog hub with a solid amount of followers mostly in County Down. There will be more developments coming down the line so keep an eye out for this as it is an ever-changing and improving platform with daily posts.
Where ?
Down News is located at the Down Business Centre in Downpatrick. The Centre is a great hub for small businesses and provides excellent services, advice and support to start-ups and more established enterprises (Phone 028 44 616416).
The Down News office is located at Office 1, Knowledge House, Down Business Centre, 46 Belfast Road, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, BT30 9UP.
The office os open most days unless I am out on the road covering photography or a story or attending a meeting.
Email: jim@downnews : editor@downnews : sport@downnews
Tel: Mob – 044 (0) 7855545873 : Landline – 028 44 615690.
What ?
Down News is a member of a number of key professional organisations and is properly indemnified.
It is a member of:
- IMPRESS, the key media industry independent regulator who handles complaints if not resolved satisfactorily.
- The Federation of Small Businesses NI (FSB NI) who have provided excellent legal and admin advice over the years and other support pertaining to business.
- The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) which has provided a bedrock of professional advice, training and legal advice.
- The Independent Community News Network (ICNN), a body representing the interests of the indie news sector.
Further, Down News is a WordPress news website managed by a competent and independent web developer.
In terms of ethos, Down News is non-political, cross-community, inclusive, environmentally progressive, and tries to report on key issues affecting the community whilst advocating principles of local democracy, openness, fairness, transparency, and accountability.
I am not a member of any political party, and all parties are very welcome to contribute to the Down News news’ stream.
I aspire to working in a politically healthy and sustainable environment free from discrimination, free from direct or indirect bias, sectarianism, inequality, and injustice.
I also believe in supporting the local business community to support the circular economy.
Outside my office window I see in the evenings rabbits hopping around, and even saw a big red dog fox on the prowl once. I recently put up a bird feeder and so far a family of sparrows has not left it, and there are blue tits and even an odd coal tit among the pied wagtails, magpies, wood pigeons on the ground and also two woodpeckers a neighbour said were checking out the bird feeder (which I didn’t see.) A pleasant distraction from the seriousness of the news stream!
Down News also provides photography services supplying photos. I attend news photoshoots, social and sporting events and do work for clients for their PR functions and online channels which adds to the sustainability to some degree.
Down News is also a platform that accommodates strap ad and feature advertising. I am happy to quote for this. It is very competitive in price compared to print media and other forms of advertising.
When ?
The Down News website runs 24/7 365 days a year.
(I usually attentively respond on the phone (mobile) unless I am tucked up in bed fast asleep!)
I manage a diary as best I can and attend some days a number of events.
How ?
I am based in Downpatrick – it is the county epicentre between Newry and Ards (North Down). I try and minimise my driving to keep fuel cost down for economic sustainability but also for the impact on the environment, this reducing the environmental footprint.
One of my medium to longer term aims is to buy an electric car to further add to my environmental sustainability but that is for the moment out of my reach. But prospective advertisers can keep this in mind as investing in Down News is a sustainable way forward and a win-win relationship for all.
Down News can only prosper when your business prospers.
Strapline: Getting Down Back To Business.
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Feel free to contact me regarding photo opportunities, news and sports stories, advertising or general inquiries.
Thank you for reading
Jim Masson
(Editor).
A closing note: Without taking myself too serious, I leave you with a quote from my national poet!
“Oh, wad some Power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as ithers see us!“
