IN another show of confidence it sees in the future of community newspapers, Provincial Press Group (PPG), owner/publisher of the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, is purchasing seven newspapers from Australian Community Media (ACM) serving New South Wales Central West and Hilltops regional and rural communities.

Publications to change hands include paid weekly mastheads Parkes Champion–Post, Forbes Advocate, Canowindra News, The Grenfell Record, Cowra Guardian, Young Witness and Boorowa News.

PPG managing director Hartley Higgins said the acquisition of the mastheads will grow PPG's North East Media's division current 16 newspaper and magazine titles produced in Wangaratta, and follows the purchase last June of Monaro Media Group and its Cooma–based publications.

Mr Higgins said PPG, as an independent family publisher operating in Wangaratta for over 100 years, will form a new entity – Regional Media Corp – to publish the titles.

Regional Media Corp CEO Edward Higgins said his company was pleased to be the future custodian of the regions' long–standing newspapers that had served their respective communities for many years.

"We are impressed with the regions' progressive municipalities and look forward to engaging with all communities covered to deliver an effective local print and digital media service," he said.

The purchase of the mastheads follows an important Australian Research Council funded Deakin University report issued last week into the future of Australia's country press.

Edward Higgins said the report highlighted the need for a better understanding of the role regional and rural papers play in the community.

"The report recognises regional and rural papers as essential services to the communities they serve," he said.

"This important distinction is underpinned by a commitment to hyperlocal public interest journalism our newspapers are proud to provide."