Embrace advances in media

If you're one of the many people who are increasingly turning to the internet and websites for their news content, you will have noticed that as of this week, www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz has a fresh new look.

The website's revamp is designed to make it easier for online users to find the main stories from each day's Wanganui Chronicle.

Video will increasingly play a key part in the online experience, as will photo galleries, which have long been popular with readers. There's no greater example of this than the huge response so far to the pictures we've posted online of this week's wild weather.

However, one of the best features of the new website is the ability for readers to comment on stories.

It's a development that's well overdue, but one which we hope will allow readers to engage with the website and its stories, and share their opinions on the critical local and national topics of the day.

Already, there's been a flurry of comments, and it's great to see that Chronicle readers are so keen to make the most of the new feature.

However, please try and be respectful of each other's views. We hope to stay as "hands-off" as possible around the online discussions, to allow people to express their views freely.

We want to foster rigorous debate - but not personal attacks.

The internet has long been signalled as the final component in the demise of traditional newspapers.

We don't see it like that. What the internet does is allow the Wanganui Chronicle to reach more and more people, albeit across multiple platforms.

We already know this is happening - the newspaper's circulation remains healthy amid an increasingly-congested media market, while website traffic continues to surge upwards.

The newspaper's social media presence is also strong, and plenty of people are taking the chance to get in touch with us.

And yet, despite all the new technology, it's the humble text message that seems to be tripping a few up.

Please keep all text messages to the Chronicle to a maximum of 150 characters, prefaced with "WNC".

The only constant in the media industry is change. By adapting to it, the Chronicle can ensure it remains the leading news provider in this region.

If you have any views on the new-look website or any other aspect of the newspaper, please get in touch.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz