Rolls of paper, larger than truck tires, were hoisted into the machines as they were every day. The smell of printing ink mixed with oil, metal, and the warm paper that shot at lightning speed through the press towers. Anyone who’s ever been there knows: a newspaper printing plant is not just a factory. It is a cathedral of scent, sound, and movement.
Years ago, I often went there, and gladly. To breathe in the scent, or to proudly give business partners a tour. I had to be there last Friday night. Because that was when the final issue of De Telegraaf rolled off the presses in Amsterdam. A mix of melancholy and resignation. An era of more than a century has come to a tangible end. Inevitable, but when it happens, it still grabs you by the throat. From now on, the remaining print editions of De Telegraaf will come from Leeuwarden, Barneveld, and Belgium.
The Telegraaf office on Friday evening, August 29, as the last issue in Amsterdam was printed (slightly edited photo).
The closure of a printing plant marks the end of an era, but however regrettable, it is not a death sentence for journalism. It is part of the transition to another form, one that brings both new challenges and new opportunities.
On Wednesday at 12 noon, the first official edition of Ede Stad Plus will appear: a daily local digital newspaper. A welcome experiment to prove that local journalism need not wither away, but can in fact flourish again.
Because the closure of a printing press does not mean that the newspaper—or better said, the news brand—ceases to exist. The print circulation has been declining for years, but at the same time, the number of people subscribing online continues to grow. Paying for digital news has become quite normal by now. Readers are increasingly choosing the convenience of smartphones or tablets, and for the always up-to-date news they offer. Journalism is changing its form, but the need for reliable and revealing stories remains—and in the context of AI, perhaps it’s more relevant than ever.
For local media, that shift has been even harder. While national titles could make the digital transition more easily thanks to their scale, local editorial teams have often been stripped to the bone. Teams that once had ten journalists sometimes now have to manage with two or three. The traditional revenue model of local advertising papers—selling ads—yields very little online, and subscriptions are hard to establish, partly because editorial capacity is too limited.
“BDU is taking a step forward with a new digital daily that aims to give local journalism renewed strength”
Yet the role of local journalism is of great value. Even close to home, there is a need for reliable reporting: Who is making decisions in the municipal council? What is happening with the construction plan around the corner? How is the quality of life in the neighborhood? At a time when distrust of institutions is growing, good local journalism can make a difference. That benefits us all.
That is why it is hopeful that there are initiatives that choose not to shrink, but to grow. With Ede Stad Plus, publisher BDU is taking a step forward: a new digital daily that aims to strengthen local journalism. Not as a byproduct of print, but as a full-fledged daily digital edition. With journalism rooted in society, that not only tells what is happening but also explains why it matters.
It is a choice to invest rather than to wind down. In digital know-how, but above all: in the editorial team. To believe that the people of Ede and the surrounding area are indeed willing to pay for stories that affect their daily lives. That journalism is not only a cost item but also a foundation of democracy, community, and public discourse.
I am proud that we were able to support BDUmedia, together with Pubble, with launching this new digital daily. From this Wednesday, the daily edition will be available via the in a modern, visually attractive way. The edition feels fresh and accessible: an app experience reminiscent of familiar social apps, but filled with the stories of your own city.
This launch is just the beginning. In the coming period, we will learn, adjust, and improve. Is this the solution for the challenges of local journalism? Certainly not the only one. But it is a step forward, and above all a courageous and valuable initiative.
