The New England Times

The New England Times is an independent news site serving the New England region of NSW. Research into local media accessibility revealed that many in the area felt they had lost quality local coverage, with newspapers being reduced and placed behind paywalls and radio stations becoming increasingly networked. Additionally, residents believed they were often overlooked in national discussions and that the region's history of thought leadership had diminished. In response, the New England Times was established in 2022 and formally launched as a daily news service in February 2023. Since then, it has gained recognition for its impactful reporting, with stories picked up by major media outlets and contributing to significant regional change. The publication has been a finalist in the Australian Women's Small Business Championship Awards and the Business New England North West regional awards and received a Walkley Meta Grant in early 2023. Part of a growing movement of local digital news outlets filling the void left by major media in regional Australia, the New England Times covers 12 local government areas across the New England/North West region. Its coverage spans from the Liverpool Plains, Tamworth, and Walcha in the south to Tenterfield, Inverell, Gwydir, and Moree Plains in the north, also including Narrabri, Gunnedah, Uralla, Armidale, and Glen Innes. The region is home to more than 185,000 people.