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Local news website shuts down after just one year

The North Bay Local only lasted a year and was the first in a number of local websites that Torstar had planned to launch across Canada
20210427 north bay local ceases operation turl
Torstar's North Bay Local has stopped publishing.

The Torstar Corp. website called "The North Bay Local" has stopped publishing as of today.

Instead, on its main page is a message that says, "As of now, the app will no longer be updated with new content. Unfortunately, the combined weight of the pandemic and the runway needed to get a new media business up and running has proven too steep a hill….for now."

The North Bay Local only lasted a year and was the first in a number of local websites that Torstar had planned to launch across Canada.

The site employed one full-time editor and a handful of freelance writers.

Last March Torstar called it "an innovative new project aimed at revitalizing local media in communities across Canada" that would be a digital-only news and information product that combined local news with contributions from community groups. 

"Torstar Local aims to revitalize community media by proactively engaging local community groups and providing them with an efficient, effective means to communicate with their local community," it said at the launch.

It hasn't turned out that way.

“Congratulations to Torstar on its launch of this unique community hub website and phone app,” said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald at the time.

"The North Bay Local test market combines original journalism, community information and local advertising to create a uniquely engaging digital experience. Torstar is committed to delivering original journalism. Torstar Local will employ local freelance journalists in each community to ensure a consistent, relevant level of local news gathering is supported," it said in March 2020.

But after only a year, the effort has been abandoned.

In addition to North Bay, Torstar had local sites in Belleville, Kingston, Stratford, Cornwall, Windsor. and Essex.

The move furthers the downsizing of local North Bay media and follows the closing last November of the Rogers Radio newsroom in North Bay with the loss of two jobs.

See: Layoffs confirmed at local Rogers radio stations, newsroom closed

"We are modernizing our business to position us for growth as we face the continued effects of a seismic shift in the media industry from traditional to digital and the challenges of the global pandemic," Andrea Goldstein, Sr. Director of Communications told BayToday after the layoffs.

Last May, CTV left its Oak St. location after more than 50 years. Its two remaining reporters now work from home.

See: End of an era. CTV closes its North Bay Oak St. location


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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