Northumberland Gazette editor Paul Larkin reported on the end of Johnston Press’ paywall trial in his paper this week.

“The trial was initially planned to take place over a three-month period, starting at the end of November, but was extended by one month to ensure sufficient data was collected.”

“It was the first phase of an ongoing review of how Johnston Press should manage its news provision online.”

Steve met-up with former Birmingham Mail (Trinity Mirror) editor Steve Dyson last week. He concluded that regional publishers are failing to engage readers online and that “[...] done right, the internet offers opportunities for regional publishers to address some of the weaknesses in their business models that have been building for years (e.g. ad sales sliding yet people prepared to pay for pictures that feature their kids or interest groups).”