The news that Win Television is closing four newsrooms across regional NSW and Queensland is bad news.
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The 6pm ritual in front of the television is something many of us grew up with but it's not just about the memories.
The box broadcast vital information on where and how our country, state and shire were tracking.
Report on problems and how they were affecting people in the community.
A diversity of those voices is vital for a strong democracy and not just for the voters, but for politicians who serve us as well.
They need to know the impact their economic and social policies are having so they can be adjusted.
While the dedicated MIA news bulletin broadcast by Win was merged with Wagga's many years ago, this closure of Wagga, Albury and Orange in NSW highlights the challenges faced by regional media.
Strong regional media can have a tangible effect on life in the areas they serve, and competition between media outlets means we all strive to create a better product for our audiences. One less competitor brings no joy to those still left in media.
It's no easy task running a newspaper, television station or radio out past the Great Dividing Range.
It's easy to turn to rumours and false information prevalent on social media, but getting to the heart of the matter takes time, effort and money.
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Laying blame on the internet isn't the answer however. There is a genuine change in our communities and our society which has been enabled by new technology.
It's no different to the change which led newspapers being printed or the arrival of television sets in the early 1950s.
The other tragedy is the talented workers who have put their sweat, and often tears, into producing the news for their communities.
Producing quality media is a team effort between camera operators, journalists and newsreaders.
Win Television's decision to close four newsrooms makes a mockery of the efforts that people have invested in creating their regional bulletins.
It's why communities need to support the media outlets which are left.
Because without your support it makes it much harder for us to deliver the news, information and entertainment that our communities have come to expect.
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