A recent survey by Scenic Rim Media has revealed what matters most to local readers – community-first reporting, diverse voices, and a strong appetite for stories about everyday people doing good things.
The survey included questions in relation to all three of the locally-owned company’s newspapers – Tamborine Mountain News, Beaudesert Bulletin and Canungra Times.
The majority of respondents said they access the paper through home delivery (61.5 per cent), followed by pickup and approximately 12 per cent read the papers online.
Managing Editor Keer Moriarty said she was grateful to everyone who took the time to respond.
“It was great to receive a lot of positive feedback, but also valuable to receive suggestions for change,” she said.
“It made us aware that we need to reach further into our communities to provide a more diverse voice, as some people felt we feature the same faces too often.”
She highlighted that while the survey offered useful insights, the timing could have been better.
“One thing we learned was not to run a survey in the lead-up to Christmas,” she said.
“Next time, we’ll aim for February or March.”
Readers praised the papers for their uplifting, real-life stories, achievements of local people, and the focus on community events.
“Our journalists are always looking for those real-life stories about local people,” Ms Moriarty said.
“We love when someone calls us with a tip about a friend or neighbour who’s done something good. Those stories might not be told otherwise, but they matter.”
Gardening content was a standout favourite, particularly among Tamborine Mountain News readers, while results also showed a split in attitudes toward political reporting.
“It reinforces the need to strike a balance, holding authorities to account, but ensuring our reporting remains fair and community-minded,” Ms Moriarty said.
Only a third of respondents were aware of the papers’ online business directory, highlighting another area for promotion and engagement.
The survey reaffirmed Scenic Rim Media’s belief that hyper-local news is vital to building connected and informed communities.
“Our articles are accurate because we are getting information firsthand and we are connected to our communities,” Ms Moriarty said.
“We tell the stories that otherwise might not be told. But all of those stories are important.”
