Do you buy the Fingal Independent?

Corsendonk

With the recent demise of the Sunday Tribune due to Independent News and Media finally pulling the plug due to a decline in sales and INM already closing one of its regional titles the group appears to be carrying out a review of its Irish titles. Among it regional titles is our local Fingal Independent which seems to be in a steady decline

Fingal Independent Sales
Jan-Jun 08 5,432
Jan-Jun 09 4,776
Jan-Jun 10 3,839

Decline of -1,593 since Jan-Jun 08

I haven't bought it for ages myself and don't subcribe online either. When I did get the chance to read it the paper appears to be filled by 5-6 pages of syndicated columnists like Ivan Yeates that you can find in INM other regional titles and local politician photo ops.

Do you buy or subcribe(online) to the Fingal Independent?

The Hill Billy

No

I buy it regularly catch up on news back home. I'd be interested in knowing how many subscribe online. Can't see the point myself.

LeoB

I stopped buying it and would only get it an odd time now. They appear to take the safe ground on to many topics instead of sticking in the boot when its needed.

That said they give decent coverage to local events and publish plenty of photos. They could do with some sort of hard hitting wekly article on F.C.C, education, policing or housing. People might then take it more seriously

The Hill Billy

No

With the amount of advertising that FCC put their way I can't imagine that they'd want to upset a major source of revenue by running too many hard-hitting articles.

pinkypinky

I buy it occasionally. I always mean to buy it more - if it were online for free, I'd read it every week.

Jimdagym

No

Buy it evry week and look forward to it. Never had a publication like that where I grew up.

SwdDub

LeoB wrote: »

I stopped buying it and would only get it an odd time now. They appear to take the safe ground on to many topics instead of sticking in the boot when its needed.

Hill Billy wrote: »

With the amount of advertising that FCC put their way I can't imagine that they'd want to upset a major source of revenue by running too many hard-hitting articles.

Having worked for a few local papers in various places (although not the Fingal Independent I should add) I can assure you that quality of news and accuracy of story takes a distant second, third or fourth place to not pissing off certain factions/personalities.organisations within the local community. Understandable because small papers need the goodwill and advertising money etc...

However, having worked on both, locals are probably far more 'bent' than nationals when it comes to leaving out or glossing over or omitting very relevant information to suit those who hold sway over them. The smaller community type paper set up actually magnifies these issues rather than diluting them.

Pineapple stu

I would by it if it wasnt just the swords indo and if they checked to make sure the stories they print is true first instead of printing just anything that comes in. Only one place sells it in d15 so it should be the Fingal indo and not just the swords area

Dizzyblonde

No

I buy it every week and have done for years.

Paulw

I've never bought it. I've bought 5 articles online.

meditraitor

I used to buy it till a couple of years ago, its not a great read anymore, I have the odd look if im in my mums for dinner but other than that I wouldnt be bothered.

Nodster

No

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I buy it every week and have done for years.

Same here - honest balanced coverage of local issues and Jack Corry's weekly motorcycle column keeps me on top of the local biking gossip - long may it last

In general, circulation on all titles - both national and local newspapers have declined. Give me hard copy over online anyday!

yknaa

Bought it when they offered it for a euro and sold it at the local train station.
Enjoyed it and reckon that promotion could work out well for 'em in the future.

wow sierra

Buy it about once a month. Keep meaning to buy it every week but it ends up being about once a month. Hope it doesn't fail. I love the idea of a local paper but I suppose websites like Balbriggan.info and balbriggan.net (and Boards.ie:):)) are beginning to take over a bit in telling people about local events/issues.

I am really disappointed about the Sunday tribune - I hope it survives but it doesn't look too likely.

bcmf

buy it when the kids are in it for sports..

dsmythy

I used to buy it all the time but it became a victim of my own personal cost cutting so to speak.

Fingalian

Used to buy it every week ,but now buy it only once or twice a month. The photo section of events around the county is good.

sNarah

No

every single week without exeption. We're nozy

And would quite often also get the Drogheda Indo!

cbreeze

Used to get it for planning notices, but you can get those on the fcc website.
I am in and out of the shops so I read it gradually during the week, for free. I would buy it if it resembled a newspaper and took a firmer editorial line on local issues.

Don't like the tabloid format because its no good for wrapping stuff.