Island Echo has become a member of the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) which represents independent community and hyperlocal news outlets across the country.
The Independent Community News Network exists to promote the interests of publishers like Island Echo and to champion new, sustainable forms of local digital and print journalism.
Darren Toogood, Publisher and Editor of Island Echo, says:
“In the ever-changing world of local news I felt it was important to be part of a network that is representing independent publishers in this country.
“Island Echo is the smallest news source on the Island in terms of staffing, but has a huge output of over 350 stories a month. Without a doubt we are leading the way against competitors that have been established for a long time and have significant amounts of money behind them.
“Schemes such as the Local Democracy Reporter Scheme and the recently-launched Facebook Community Reporter scheme pose massive challenges for independent publishers. It would be lovely if these schemes came along with a big pot of money for independents, but sadly the money is going to news outlets that already employ dozens of staff. This is just the latest challenge in the ever-evolving news market but being independently owned and operated means we can very quickly react and adapt.
“I hope that the ICNN will give Island Echo a national voice to help make independent publishing more sustainable moving forward, as well as improving the offering to our readership here on the Isle of Wight as we enter our 8th year of publishing”.
The ICNN logo has been added to the footer of every page on the website. In addition, the Isle of Wight Chamber Membership badge is displayed following Island Echo’s membership to the local chamber of commerce earlier this year.
