Ink Spots Matt Paxton
This Thursday, April 9, is Local News Day. Local News Day is led by a coalition of journalists, nonprofit leaders and media innovators, including the Montana Free Press, the American Journalism Project, Press Forward, and many more. This is the first of what the organizers hope will be an annual event.
The News-Gazette is participating, along with about 25 other Virginia news organizations such as Cardinal News, the Virginia Mercury and C-Ville Weekly.
The organizers explain on their website (localnewsday.org) that “Local News Day is a national day of action to celebrate and strengthen trusted local news and information.” Modeled after movements like Giving Tuesday, it hopes to inspire people across the nation to reconnect with their local news organizations through subscriptions, support, and engagement.
Why does local news need a special day? Americans overwhelmingly say local news is essential to democracy and to their daily lives. Yet many communities struggle to access the in-depth, accountable coverage they deserve. Local News Day helps bridge that gap —reconnecting people with trusted sources that keep them informed and strengthen their communities.
We know that the model for supporting local news, especially for newspapers, is in trouble. The model was based on print advertising which has been in decline for several decades. We’ve developed some other revenue streams from niche publications and are beginning to see some results from our digital side of the business. We’re exploring other ways to keep the paper sustainable. But the fact is that since 2005, the country has lost more than 2,500 newspapers, and has 60% fewer local news reporters, according a Northwestern University study.
We’ve seen the hollowing out of once-thriving local papers all around us. I read recently that a large daily paper in our area, which once had 150 reporters and editors in its newsroom, now has seven on its news staff. That’s the same number as we have at The News-Gazette!
Having a comprehensive local news source helps people stay informed about what’s happening with their local governments, schools, and local organizations. A trusted local news source helps ensure accountability and transparency in government and other institutions. It helps foster a sense of community, and it gives people a voice to express their opinions in a less threatening way than unmoderated social media.
Studies show that having one or more effective local news outlets in a community leads to stronger civic participation and engagement. And, true local news organizations help preserve the unique identity, culture and history of communities. Those are all things we strive to do here at The News-Gazette.
So, we plan to have fun with this on Thursday. We’ll be set up on the brick plaza in front of The News-Gazette building on Nelson Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with some refreshments, some free stuff, copies of the paper, and staff members you can talk to. We will be able to help you sign up for our new N-G NOW Friday email newsletter, and help you subscribe to the paper if you don’t already.
Come visit with us and tell us what we’re doing right, and what you wish we would do better. Get a nibble and some swag and enjoy the day with us.
