The changing face of news

The Zululand Observer print and digital media platforms have lived side-by-side for a year now.

The website and social media have developed rapidly, making the ZO site one of the best Caxton group websites in the country.

The aim is to adapt the coverage provided in the newspaper, which is unable to compete with the immediacy of the website when it comes to breaking news.

The newspaper is more suited to analytical or in-depth pieces.

Readers seem to have a different ‘taste’ when it comes to online stories in terms of what they see is relevant and important.

Two of our top online stories last week were the ‘coxsackie’ virus in Richards Bay and the storm damage at Alkantstrand.

A whopping 9 420 people logged on to read ‘Tough virus takes its toll’. This story made it into the Top 5 most read community stories in the country.

Facebook was inundated with comments from people directly affected by the illness. Readers joined the discussion on the social media platform and voiced their opinions and concerns.

Ironically, the story only made page 4 in the ZO Monday edition.

This is a clear indication that people want to know about issues that directly affect their lives and how it will impact on their daily routines.

The erosion on Alkantstrand was another ‘winning’ story online, as hundreds of people logged on to find out more about the popular beach.

They needed to know how the storm damage, debris and high tides would affect their safety.

Yet another discussion broke out on the ZO Facebook page as readers speculated on the disaster and even advised authorities how to solve the problem.

While last week’s ZO carried the story ‘Council scoop Awards’ on the front page, the hippo that killed a poacher in St Lucia gained far more readers online.

Immediate news is key and community articles focusing on service delivery seem to be much more important to readers than business, local government news or even national news.

• For all the breaking news go to www.zululandobserver.co.za and ‘LIKE’ our Facebook page Zululand Observer Publications.