THE importance of a strong and vibrant regional media has never been greater and The Daily Mercury's new editor Paul McLoughlin is looking forward to continuing the publication's fine tradition established over many years.

Mr McLoughlin said the opportunity to build readership across traditional print and digital platforms was an exciting prospect.

"Never before have our communities had so much access to our valued content - content that can only be produced by teams who are invested in the communities they serve,” Mr McLoughlin said.

"The Mercury has an important role to play in advocating for the community and reporting news without fear or favour.”

Mr McLoughlin has more than 20 years experience as a writer and editor having held positions at every level from weeklies to large regional dailies.

For the past three years he has held the Fairfax Regional Media role of group managing editor in southern NSW and northern Victoria with oversight of 11 publications.

Prior to that he was group editor of the Riverina Media Group for 12 years.

Mr McLoughlin starts at the Mercury today, taking over from Melanie Plane and Cas Garvey who have been joint acting editors since Rowan Hunnam's departure in June.