Fieldwork in 'news deserts'

This year I have been on the road, travelling to areas of Australia that have little or no local news provision. I call these areas 'vulnerable towns in Australia's rural information ecology', as they do not have a local news outlet based in the town, and the nearest journalist is located at least one hours' drive away.

In these towns I have been talking to community leaders such as doctors, mayors, teachers, charity group leaders, sporting club presidents, business owners, school principals, aboriginal elders, police officers etc. I have also had conversations with parents, the elderly, young people etc.

I've been asking these people how local news and information is communicated in their town.

The towns I've been to are:

St George, Queensland:

Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia

Jamestown, South Australia

I am working through the data I have collected and will be publishing it in various mediums over the next 12 months.