The Bridge, Berwick’s community newsletter, has been shortlisted for an award. https://publishernewsletters.com/2024/en/page/home
The newsletter only launched in February 2023 but has already become part of the Berwick community landscape. This is thanks in the main to the supporters who came on board right from the start – subscribers, advertisers and the Berwick Chamber of Trade & Commerce which was a very early sponsor. Without these helpers and the actual supporters The Bridge would not have lasted this long.
Along with the local support, a national (even international) movement is afoot whereby independent publishers are working tirelessly to bring back local reporting.
The Public Interest News Foundation has been instrumental in supporting and encouraging The Bridge editor, Wendy Robertson.
Not only is news at risk – so reducing community connections, awareness of what is going on – but it is creating a democratic deficit whereby proper scrutiny of local governance is evaporating. Of course, as The Bridge has discovered, bringing back accountability after a three to four year period without is extremely difficult.
Individuals and organisations used to doing as they wish don’t like the attention. And in The Bridge’s case have suffered attempts to silence our reporting from some quarters.
Thankfully we’ve managed to keep going long enough to be recognised by the Publisher Newsletters Awards in the Best Local & Community Newsletter category. It’s an international category with two US and an Emirati publisher in the mix. It’s a prize to be shortlisted. https://publishernewsletters.com/2024/en/page/shortlist2024
Whatever the outcome The Bridge will ‘keep on rocking the boat’ to make sure the people of Berwick continue to be informed.
The award ceremony takes place on 23rd July. Fingers crossed!!