History of the Provincial Press in England

Regional newspapers around the globe are fighting to survive in the face of challenges to their economic model, due to the constant influx of new technology. At the same time, while studies of the national press have created a continuous narrative on the newspaper, the history of the regional press has been subject to relatively little academic scrutiny, despite being a significant industry in terms of a readership, circulation and profit. By focusing on provincial English newspapers, Matthews makes the case for the larger issue of the future of local newspapers worldwide. She argues that a comprehensive approach to the history of the regional press can result in a conceptualization of the industry in terms of the shift in emphasis between the key elements of state control, ownership, social influence and production techniques. They can be categorized into six distinct stages: the local newspaper as opportunistic creation; the characterization of the local newspaper as fourth estate; the impact of New Journalism; the growth of chain control, the shock of the free paper and new technology and finally, the current picture, the search for a new business model.

Anyone interested in how the past affects the future of newspapers will enjoy this book. Professors of graduate classes in media history, international journalism, culture and change, or political discourse in the media might assign this thoroughly researched study., This is a radical, historical reassessment of a much-neglected media form. Dismissing nostalgia for a ‘Golden Age’, Matthews’ persuasive polemic argues that the digital turn in provincial news may yet see it return to journalism’s foundational myth of serving the interests of the community., In this very well-researched, well-written exploration of the provincial press in England, Rachel Mathews compels us to rethink the relationship of media companies to society. At the core of the relationship, she argues, is not the public interest or good of the community, but the profit motive. This is a very thought-provoking read that takes use outside the media centers to where the rest of us live., Rachel Matthews’ new book offers a wonderfully insightful, scholarly, comprehensive and highly readable, historical account of the intriguing twists and turns which have characterized the development of the Provincial Press in England. Her analysis highlights the impact of changing media technologies as well as economic, social, cultural, political and ideological factors and their consequences for the local and regional press. Studies of the provincial press have too often suffered a curious and inexplicable scholarly neglect, but no more! The History of the Provincial Press in England offers a landmark study of local newspapers from the early publication of the Daily Courant in 1702, to the more recent ‘digital turn’, the advent of hyperlocalism, and online local editions. As an ex-local journalist turned scholar, Dr Matthews’ book will be of great interest to everyone interested in the future of local journalism and developments in journalism studies., This thoughtful and much needed one volume history of provincial press in England will stimulate researchers and students to attend more closely to an important, and under studied, area of media history. It should be read by anyone interested in the subject.

Rachel Matthews is Principal Lecturer in Journalism at Coventry University, UK. She spent 15 years in the regional newspaper industry, rising to the position of Deputy Editor.