📆 It’s Dec. 19, and the end-of-the-year membership campaign for Richland Source, Ashland Source, and Knox Pages is well underway. I’m excited to tell you we’re getting close to our goal of 267 new members!
If you are a longtime or brand-new member, an advertiser, or Newsroom Partner… thank you, thank you, thank you!!
If you’re one of the tens of thousands of folks who rely on us for accurate and accessible local news, but haven’t yet become a member, this is your personal invitation 👇
Let’s get real about the local news business in Ohio
No matter where you live in north central Ohio, the hometown paper you grew up with isn’t what it used to be.
This is not the fault of the remaining reporters and editors at those outlets. They universally work hard to do the best they can under adverse conditions.
There are hard truths to confront, however.
Legacy local newspapers are being stripped for parts by hedge funds and out-of-state corporations at an alarming rate across America.
In fact, more than half of U.S. counties are now either without local news or in danger of losing it, according to the recently-released State of Local News Report from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Key findings from the State of Local News report
- More than 50% of U.S. counties are news deserts or are in danger of becoming a news desert.
- Small communities like ours lose newspapers at a rate of 2 per week.
- The U.S. has lost more than two-thirds of its working journalists since 2005.
Bucking the trends
There’s no good news up there, but there are bright spots noted in the report.
Locally-owned organizations are bucking trends and doing things differently. One of them is here in north central Ohio. You’re reading it right now.
A small, nimble newsroom with lots of hustle and community pride can make a big difference in lots of different ways. It can …
The way forward is together
👉 I want to make this very plain: There is no way forward for professional, high quality, independent local news in our region without significant and ongoing reader support.
Our founder and staff have been all-in for 10 years now. Together with our readers, we’ve built a future for trusted independent journalism in north central Ohio.
If you haven’t already, please join us in the fight.
Pillar and Promoter memberships are up to 50% off for a limited time. Every penny goes to fund the reporting and editing you count on us to provide.
Thanks for taking the time with me today, and for sticking with us for the last 10 years!
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