With the rapid growth and evolution of digital news media over the last few years, Eikestadnuus had to adapt its approach to news in order to strike a balance between digital and print media.
This was according to Angelo Julies, editor-in-chief of Eikestadnuus. Julies told MatieMedia that the editorial team had to continuously think of new ways and ideas to keep their readers engaged.
“Not all news is received the same on digital platforms as in the print newspapers, and it is quite tricky to find the balance between the two,” said Julies.
He explained that all digital platforms are unique, therefore different approaches and news needs to be used on the different platforms.
“Not everything that works on Facebook, works on Instagram or Twitter and likewise. In that same [regard], not all news we use in the print newspaper works on the digital platforms,” he added.
The building on 44 Alexander Street, which used to house the Eikestadnuus offices until May 2021, but is now occupied by Chennells Albertyn Attorneys & Conveyancers. All Eikestadnuus staff members work remotely with office space in Somerset West, according to Julies. PHOTO: Alexander Brand
Adapting to the new “normal”
Since the start of the initial hard lockdown, the Eikestadnuus editorial team has carried on as normal and tried to find new, innovative ways to gather news and report on it. “In the beginning it was tough, but we eventually got used to it. Luckily for us, we are essential workers and had permits to travel and cover news,” said Julies.
Lia Snijman, a freelance writer for Eikestadnuus, had to change her journalistic approach due to Covid-19.
“[The Covid-19 pandemic] meant a lot of emails, WhatsApps and video calls with people. Luckily [Angelo Julies] let me decide when I was comfortable to go out in the field – which I appreciated as I live with my family and did not want to put them at risk,” said Snijman.
The most recent print publication of Eikestadnuus released on 3 June, with the front page covering vaccinations for people over the age of 60 starting in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Alexander Brand
Writers were not the only ones affected by the pandemic. “[Work] has been very quiet, and still is, but one can at least take pictures now and then,” said Francois Lombard, a photographer for Eikestadnuus.
Getting into the nitty gritty
Eikestadnuus is a free publication under the Media24 group. It uses the knock-and-drop model to distribute its paper, according to Julies. Because of this, advertising revenue is the publication’s main source of income, with some additional income coming in from special projects such as events and supplemental products, he added.
Even after the shock of Covid-19, the newspaper continues to appear weekly on a Thursday, said Julies. “We published a regional newspaper with our sister newspapers in Boland Media for about a month [in the initial hard lockdown] and then went back to our own paper,” said Julies.
Eikestadnuus is a predominantly Afrikaans publication (60% to 70% of the content is Afrikaans), with occasional English articles, said Julies. “We aim to balance the language to reach our target audience and cater for a wide range of readers, from laymen to professors,” he added.
Eikestadnuus journalist, Breyten Cupido, who won the Boland Media award for Hard News Story of the Year at the Boland and Western Province Media Excellence Celebration on 28 May, reading a copy of the print newspaper. PHOTO: Supplied/Francois Lombard
The primary role of Eikestadnuus is to inform and educate its readers, said Julies. The newspaper tells people what happens in and around their communities and then educates them on important issues, he added.
“A great example would be the Covid-19 pandemic. We keep our readers informed on the plans of the government and updates on vaccines, and educate them on the virus itself,” said Julies.