Region CEO Tim White (second row, far left) with some of the many local faces that make up the growing Region Canberra team. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra’s trusted provider of free, home-grown, quality news has a new name.
Riotact was established in late 2000 as a place for local news, opinion and analysis. It was acquired by Region in 2016 and transformed into a news site, delivering trusted, free, local journalism seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.
Now, it is changing to Region Canberra to align with the group’s growing presence in other regions, including the Illawarra and Riverina.
Region CEO Tim White said the company had come a long way since its start-up days in Deakin.
“It’s really a testament to the quality of our staff and the loyalty of our readers and business partners,” Mr White said.
“We began with just a couple of journalists and a handful of clients. Now, we have around 40 employees and more than 30 regular contributors, working from Cape York in Queensland to Albury on the NSW/Victoria border. Our brands have a readership of almost a million people a month, and our pageviews are growing daily.”
As well as Region Canberra, Region Illawarra and Region Riverina, Region is the publisher of About Regional, PS News, the Cape York Weekly, This is Canberra and My Gungahlin, and has a Chinese language platform.
“The change from Riotact to Region Canberra will align the Canberra news site with others in our stable as we continue to expand,” Mr White said.
“Apart from the name change, everything else will stay the same. We are committed to providing free, trusted, local news that will never be behind a paywall. With our commercial partners, we are committed to building communities, supporting local business and sparking thoughtful conversations about issues that matter.”
In 2023, Region won the national Telstra Best of Business Award for building community and was a national finalist in the Mumbrella media brand of the year award. Last year, our Riverina editor, Oliver Jacques, was a finalist in the Walkley Awards in the Coverage of Community and Regional Affairs category for his investigation into the demise of Riverina wine company Sans Pareil Estate.
Region Canberra’s team has also cooked for Ronald McDonald House, walked for Menslink, tackled the Geocon High Society Stair Chase Challenge and sorted clothes for Vinnies. They’ve abseiled down buildings for the Canberra Hospital Foundation, helped place pets for the RSPCA and attended fundraising events for Hands Across Canberra and dozens of other great Canberra charities, like Karinya House.
“We believe in being actively involved in our local communities and believe our people are our strength,” Mr White said.
“Expect to see the Region Canberra brand loud and proud throughout the ACT as we continue to serve Canberra and the wider community through free, balanced, local news and views, brought to you by journalists who live and work here.”
