Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Home Blog Page 299

OPINION: Facebook’s shifting News Feed policy – enjoy your friends’ breakfast

The Editor
-
0
OPINION: Facebook’s shifting News Feed policy – enjoy your friends’ breakfast

Fake news banned on Facebook

This is a serious (for once) opinion piece from The Editor. Feel free to share (ironically, on Facebook)

Facebook has finally confirmed it is changing its algorithm so that pages you made the conscious decision to ‘Like’ and follow – media, your favourite restaurants, shops, the Suffolk Gazette – will very rarely appear in your news feed anymore. Instead you will see endless posts from your ‘friends’ about where they are going on holiday, what they had for breakfast, and how well their kids are doing at school.

This media outlet – we may be spoof and satire news, but we are still media – will suffer as a result, because so many of our loyal readers follow our fun stories on the Suffolk Gazette by looking out for them on their news feed, which they have chosen to do by liking our Facebook page.

Now they won’t see those stories, or only very rarely, and the result for us and many businesses will be a dramatic drop in visibility, engagement, readership, and therefore revenue.

In truth, we have seen this coming from a mile off. Back in April, maybe 95% of our traffic was referred by Facebook because so many people were seeing and then liking and sharing our posts. They did so because they found them funny, and their friends then got a laugh as well. It is one of the reasons we all like social media.

This month so far, only around 60% of our traffic is being referred from Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook empire – and the total numbers are down considerably.

For the Suffolk Gazette this is not a disaster. This is a fun site, a personal blog, written and produced in my spare time. It is not my job, and I do not rely on any income from it.

But for other media institutions – actually any business that uses Facebook – it is really serious.

Imagine a real online newspaper, or online magazine, losing a huge chunk of its readers from Facebook. Imagine losing 50% of revenues at a stroke, maybe more, because visitor numbers were down, and its digital advertising was not being seen.

For many, this Facebook policy shift will be financially unbearable, and they will fold.

And who will be sorry then? The readers? Probably. The staff? Absolutely. But you can add Facebook to the list as well. Why? Because Facebook’s own income relies a lot on these same businesses. How? It charges them for ‘sponsored posts’ – ironically now a way of forcing a post onto the news feed so people actually see it – and also it makes huge sums from its own Facebook advertising network, the ads you will see on any Facebook Instant Article post.

Facebook spent years teasing business to adjust how it produced – and, yes – marketed its content. The number of articles, videos, live videos and photos from these outlets increased beyond recognition as a result, as did the contents of Mark Zuckerberg’s wallet. Now it has pulled the rug from under our feet.

The Suffolk Gazette will continue to publish as normal – there are only a few costs which I soak up, and I have the help of donations from some brilliant readers and a small advertising income. I can afford to keep going, and I still have a large number of readers, but there will be many publishers who cannot.

So while you are now avoiding Fake News, one of the key drivers behind Facebook’s change in policy, you are also missing out on genuine news and many of the things you used to enjoy on Facebook.

But at least you’ll see relentless posts about how your friends are apparently having a much more exciting life than you.

Donald Trump scraps visit to Suffolk over cost of shed

The Editor
-
0
Donald Trump scraps visit to Suffolk over cost of shed

Donald Trump scraps visit

By Ivor Traktor, Farming Correspondent (intern)

United States President Donald Trump has cancelled his official visit to Suffolk – blaming the cost of a deal for a farmer’s field.

He had been due to official open a new shed next to an American airbase in Lakenheath in February.

But he Tweeted overnight that the deal for the shed, built on land purchased from a local farmer, was way too high.

“Reason I canceled my trip to Suffolk is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration building a new shed in an off-base location for $12,000. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon – NO!”

The American air force, which has been based at RAF Lakenheath since 1948, needed a new storage facility because conditions were cramped within the base perimeter.

They wanted somewhere to house waffles, and so the US administration negotiated with local pig farmer David Cameron, who agreed to sell a field next to the base for $12,000 – including the provision of a new shed (seen being built in the photo at the top of this story).

But despite being gleaming new, Trump was so angry with the cost that he scrapped his visit to Suffolk to open it.

However, locals insist this is just a cover story, because there were huge protests planned.

Lorraine Fisher, 34, who is a spokesperson for the Suffolk Young Farmers, said they were furious over how Trump had been running the base and criticising visitors.

“He is not welcome here, and had he come to open the shed, there would have been huge protests.

“We had already provisionally booked two mini-buses to take us to Lakenheath, and painted snarky slogans on signs, like ‘Down with this sort of thing’.”

Political observers were confused by Mr Trump’s angry Tweet.

“It wasn’t even Obama who negotiated the new shed. It was George Bush,” a Washington insider said.

There was also concern Mr Trump did not want to go running through a wheat field with Theresa May to see the new shed.

New sponsor sees Portman Road become The Greyhound Stadium

The Editor
-
0
New sponsor sees Portman Road become The Greyhound Stadium

The Greyhound Stadium

Popular Ipswich pub The Greyhound is bidding for the naming rights to the Ipswich Town stadium, it has emerged.

If successful, the deal will see Portman Road being renamed as The Greyhound Stadium.

[AdSense-A]

The news comes on the day that the club unveiled Magical Vegas as its new shirt sponsor, and confirmed they were considering a sponsor for the stadium name.

As regular readers will be aware, The Greyhound is the corporate HQ of the Suffolk Gazette, and it is believed the deal being considered by Town includes naming rights of the ground’s toilet facilities as ‘The Suffolk Gazette’s Crap’.

Ipswich Town bosses were tight-lipped about the naming rights negotiations, but an executive close to the deal said fans would welcome the move.

“The Greyhound Stadium is perfect because the team have been going to the dogs for years.

“It is likely that Crazee and Bluey, the popular Suffolk Punch horse mascots, will be replaced by a giant bunny who will sprint along a track around the pitch in The Greyhound Stadium.”

[AdSense-B]

Supporters were keen on the idea of the new name. Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “If it means season ticket holders can get a free pint of Adnams in the Greyhound in Henley Road, then brilliant.”

But we can reveal the Greyhound is not the only corporate giant looking at giving their name to Portman Road, and the latest betting sites in the UK are compiling odds as we write.

Others brands in the frame include Horlicks, Andrex and Anne Summers.

“That makes sense, as the Ipswich Town squad is either asleep, shit or getting f*cked every week,” one fan suggested.

Click here to support the Suffolk Gazette Beer Fund!
[olimometer id=1]

Join our witty Suffolk Gazette Facebook page community.

Greater Anglia’s Suffolk Gazette sales ban ‘absurd’, says Boris Johnson

The Editor
-
0
Greater Anglia’s Suffolk Gazette sales ban ‘absurd’, says Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson Suffolk Gazette

By Casey Jones, Railways Correspondent

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has jumped to the defence of the Suffolk Gazette after it was banned by Greater Anglia from its trains.

The newspaper is no longer for sale on trains between East Anglia and London because it is “not compatible” with Greater Anglia’s brand.

But in a damning Tweet, Mr Johnson described the decision as “absurd” and “censorious”, adding the hashtag #NotFakeNews.

Passengers who have enjoyed reading the Suffolk Gazette for hundreds of years were astonished when Greater Anglia removed it from sale.

Commuter Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “It’s pure censorship because the Suffolk Gazette holds the train company to account.

“Only last week it reported how Greater Anglia’s record ticket price hike arrived on time, but the trains didn’t.

“It’s that sort of incisive journalism that we should cherish in a democracy.

“But Greater Anglia do not like it up ’em, and have banned the newspaper from being sold at the stations and in the buffet cars.

“They have even blocked the paper’s website from the train WiFi.”

The Foreign Secretary is a keen reader of this newspaper. He has close links with Suffolk, where he has business interests in six fish and chip shops.

His Tweet overnight will add further pressure on Greater Anglia bosses to reverse their newspaper ban.

An insider at Greater Anglia said: “Nobody reads the Suffolk Gazette anyway, so who cares?

“This won’t suit all of our customers or all of our people – it’s certain to draw some criticism. But we’ve listened to many colleagues over the last few months, and we feel that this is the right move to take.”

Planners urged to change Portman Road library to a sports stadium

The Editor
-
0
Planners urged to change Portman Road library to a sports stadium

ITFC ground

Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans has applied to the council to change the use of Portman Road from a library to a sports stadium.

The planning application is the first step of the club’s efforts to bring back exciting football to the area.

[AdSense-A]

In recent years the library has been open every other Saturday for people to sit quietly and read either streams of abuse on Twitter or, if they can afford it, an official programme.

But ITFC officials fear dwindling attendances and lack of ambition or excitement means the library model is becoming unviable.

Instead, they hope that by opening a sports stadium they can get people on their feet, cheering, singing and supporting the team.

It is expected the application will be nodded through by Ipswich Borough Council planners when they meet next week.

A Portman Road insider said: “Supporters of visiting teams often sing, ‘Is this a library?’, and for once they are right.

“But our quiet corner of town is not really conducive to a marvelous sporting occasion.

“So we have decided to apply for a change of use from a library to a sporting stadium.

“We have carried out reports and surveys, and believe there will be no noise issues for local residents, while traffic should not be a problem either.”

[AdSense-B]

Many Ipswich supporters think scrapping the library for a sports stadium should be just the start of exciting times ahead.

Fan Lorraine Fisher, 34, from Leiston, said: “I really don’t enjoy spending £30 to sit in a library for 90 minutes.

“But if it’s a sporting stadium it could be well worth it.

“Perhaps changing the library manager might also be an improvement? Or investing in some new books?

“Our library has not worked because we have lots of second-hand books that no one else wants to read.”

Some are less enthused. Bookworm Alan Tasker said: “I quite enjoy going to the library every other Saturday. It’s nice and quiet and I even get my own seat.”

Click here to support the Suffolk Gazette Beer Fund!
[olimometer id=1]

Join our witty Suffolk Gazette Facebook page community.

Shock as road actually closed beyond road ahead closed sign

The Editor
-
0
Shock as road actually closed beyond road ahead closed sign

Road ahead closed

By Laurie Hall, Transport Editor

There was widespread shock across Suffolk today when a road ahead closed sign was actually followed by a road closure.

Motorists heading towards Woodbridge were caught out when they ignored the sign as usual, only to be stopped by roadworks 100 yards later.

Mum Lorraine Fisher, 34, was on the school run when she drove straight past the red-and-white road ahead closed sign.

“There are hundreds of these signs all over the place and usually they mean nothing at all.

“There are hardly ever any road closure ahead, it’s just that the workmen forgot to pick up the sign – a bit like all those lonely cones on the motorways.

“Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I pootled along, only to be met with a coned-off road and workmen actually digging it up.

“I had to turn around and find another way into town. It was quite exciting, actually.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council highways, Linda ‘Nanny’ McPhee said it was business as usual on the roads.

“We would urge drivers to take heed of all road ahead closed signs, even though they very rarely mean the road is closed ahead.

“It is absolutely not true to say we just leave the signs out on the side of the road because inevitably at some point in the near future the road will be dug up.”

The news comes a year after we revealed the council was digging up so many of Ipswich’s roads because they were looking for buried treasure.

Arsene Wenger keeps Arsenal job, takes on Spurs role as well

The Editor
-
0
Arsene Wenger keeps Arsenal job, takes on Spurs role as well

Arsene Wenger

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has done such a good job that he has been appointed Spurs boss as well.

Despite everyone else in the country thinking Wenger has plunged Arsenal into a winter crisis yet again, he has been rewarded with an expanded role.

[AdSense-A]

Mrs May has been busy reshuffling her cabinet amid perceived turmoil, especially in north London.

But in an extraordinary twist, it is claimed Wenger not only refused to leave his position at the Emirates, but was then handed the Tottenham job as well.

Commentator Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Wenger has been in charge since 1996 and it’s been downhill for years.

“Arsenal fans have been calling for him to step down, and the winter crisis deepened beyond despair at the weekend when the Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Nottingham Forest.

“But just when everyone assumed he would be losing his job, Theresa May has ensured he has kept it – and added another job for good measure.”

[AdSense-B]

Spurs fans were shaking their heads in disbelief today.

Steve Walshe, from Harlow in Essex said: “Theresa May’s reshuffle has backfired spectacularly. Wenger is not welcome.”

Meanwhile, in unrelated news, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has not only kept his role in today’s reshuffle, he has added the department for Social Care to his portfolio.

Click here to support the Suffolk Gazette Beer Fund!
[olimometer id=1]

Join our witty Suffolk Gazette Facebook page community.

A14 in Suffolk upgraded to a motorway

The Editor
-
0
A14 in Suffolk upgraded to a motorway

A14 in Suffolk

By Laurie Hall, Transport Editor

Google Maps has leaked news that the A14 in Suffolk is being upgraded to motorway status.

Newspapers such as this have been under strict embargo not to publish the revelation until next week – but Google has jumped the gun.

Anyone looking at Google Maps today (reprinted above) will clearly see A14(M) in blue along the length of the A14 from Newmarket in the west to Felixstowe in the east.

Motorists who are fed up with constant delays and poor surfacing on the A14, currently only a dual carriageway, will be delighted by the news.

Plans to be announced officially by the Department of Transport next week include making the A14 three lanes throughout, and forcing lorries to stick to the inside lane from 7am to 7pm each week day.

The upgrade, which will cost £790 million and be completed within two years, will bring the first ever motorway to Suffolk, so often seen as a transport backwater.

It will reduce travel time and also help the local business infrastructure.

Felixstowe Port, in particular, will benefit from the news.

Suffolk motorist Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “This is fantastic news – we have suffered on the A14 in Suffolk for too long. Turning it into a motorway is very exciting and will bring huge benefits to local people and businesses.

“Now we can only hope they will also upgrade the A12 through the county – and even the A140 to Norwich, so that we can get away from Norfolk as quickly as possible.”

Chris Salamé, spokesman for the Department of Transport said: “We can not comment on this until next week.”

1...298299300...384Page 299 of 384

Just In

Sport

Business

Features

Contact us