Hello everyone,
I’m Anushri Sood, Ette Media's Senior Journalist, and this is Insights From Insiders - a monthly newsletter where we get to know the fascinating thinkers and doers working across media, technology, and the internet to redefine storytelling, rebuild audience trust, create community and influence culture.
In the first edition guests Renee Maxwell and Jacky Barker share their experience reviving hyperlocal news.
In a shrinking news environment where media organisations are trying to be everything to everyone, it was refreshing to stumble across a micro newspaper that is flourishing.
In the Cove is an independent news website owned by Renee Maxwell, a “proud Lane Cove local.” Renee took over the paper in March this year, from founder Jacky Barker, who she describes as “a friend, mentor, almost a sister and a million other things all rolled into one.”
Renee is the publisher and editor-in-chief, and puts out news and information for the people of Sydney’s Lane Cove about events, sporting clubs, charities, job listings and alerts, including breaking news about lost dogs. But this is no community noticeboard! In the Cove's original reporting is one of its key attributes, nabbing the outlet a Walkley nomination in 2025 for public service journalism.
Lane Cove is a leafy suburb in Sydney's north, flanked by rivers and national parks. The Sydney suburb was recognised last year as the most liveable community in Australia, and one of the things residents said they valued most was a strong sense of belonging and inclusion.
Our Etterati know all too well how divisive and outrage-driven the news cycle can be but this chat with Jacky and Renee reminds us of the pen's power to unite us with an approach to journalism that is rigorous, kind and community-focused.