A former Townsville Bulletin sports editor and marketing manager, Doug Kingston , will hold a public meeting on May 18 at the Shamrock Hotel to discuss a proposed online newspaper to challenge the Murdoch owned Townsville Bulletin . This news was broken by former Townsville Bulletin reporter Malcolm Weatherup in the latest weekly edition of his avidly read The Magpie's Nest .
He quotes Kingston as saying :"Given there are a lot of unemployed or retired journalists around at the moment, I’m keen to find any of them would be interested in participating in the new venture."
The Magpie said Kingston had become disillusioned with the way the Bulletin is heading and that the community is ready for an alternative and balanced source of news, which asks questions that should be asked ..."We will be demanding answers to hard questions, without fear or favour, questions that the Bulletin just refuses to ask."
The meeting , not only limited to journos , will take place in the rear bistro of the Shamrock Hotel at 3pm to outline his plans and gauge interest . Weatherup said Doug will provide drinks and snacks (a dangerous course if it involves journalists) but for catering purposes he asks that anyone intending to come along text their name to him on 0417 762 190.
As far as is known , such being the state of the media in North Queensland , this newsworthy development has not been covered or followed up .