When Canadian journalist Jessica Johnston first arrived in Far North Queensland, she never anticipated how profoundly the region would reshape her career and perspective on what truly matters in journalism. Her journey from metropolitan Canadian newsrooms to the tropical landscapes of Cairns has become a powerful testament to the value of regional reporting.
From City Skylines to Tropical Horizons
Johnston's path to Cairns began in Canadian city newsrooms, where she cut her teeth on fast-paced urban reporting. The transition to Far North Queensland represented more than just a change of scenery—it marked a fundamental shift in how she understood the purpose and impact of journalism.
Unlike metropolitan reporting where stories often get lost in the noise, regional journalism in FNQ meant every story had immediate, tangible consequences for people she saw daily at the supermarket or local café. This intimate connection between reporter and community created a level of accountability and purpose she hadn't experienced in larger markets.
The Heartbeat of Community Reporting
What Johnston discovered in Far North Queensland was journalism in its purest form. Regional reporting, she found, wasn't just about covering events—it was about documenting the lifeblood of communities, amplifying local voices, and holding power to account where it mattered most to people's daily lives.
She quickly learned that in regions like FNQ, journalists become essential threads in the community fabric. The stories she told weren't abstract concepts—they were about neighbours, local businesses, and issues that directly affected the people around her. This proximity to her subjects created both responsibility and reward that city reporting rarely offered.
From covering local council decisions that would shape community infrastructure to celebrating regional achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed, Johnston found that regional journalism offered a depth of impact that metropolitan reporting often lacks.
Why Regional Journalism Matters Now More Than Ever
Johnston's experience highlights a crucial truth about Australian media: regional newsrooms don't just report on communities—they serve as their memory, their microphone, and their mirror. In an era where trust in media faces global challenges, the authentic connection of regional journalism provides a powerful antidote.
Regional journalists like those at Cairns Post become trusted figures who live alongside their readers, sharing their triumphs and challenges. They don't parachute in for breaking news then disappear—they remain accountable to the community long after the headlines fade.
This model of journalism, Johnston argues, represents something increasingly rare in today's media landscape: reporting rooted in place, committed to community, and driven by genuine connection rather than clicks alone.
Her love letter to Far North Queensland serves as both celebration and urgent reminder—regional journalism isn't just a smaller version of metropolitan reporting. It's a different beast entirely, one that plays a vital role in maintaining the health of democracy at the most fundamental level: the communities where people actually live.
