This week, and each week, newspapers are right here for you

by Dean Ridings

Individuals have extra media choices than ever. We’re inundated with tales, memes, movies and promotions 24 hours a day. Most of us are on social media, which is constructed to offer an limitless feed of content material to maintain us glued to our screens.

 And sadly, misinformation is prevalent and far of that content material isn’t fact-checked, verified or professionally produced. The result’s that we’re not at all times proven what we have to know, or the data that’s most probably to impression our lives. That’s the place native newspapers are available in. Your native newspaper takes a unique strategy.

Nationwide Newspaper Week is an efficient alternative to acknowledge the dedication that native newspapers make to the communities they serve. Your native newspaper is simply that — native. It hires reporters who’re skilled to offer dependable details about the problems that matter most. Whether or not it’s the most recent taking place from the native faculty board, modifications in actual property zoning, highschool soccer scores or a evaluation of that new restaurant you’ve been desirous to attempt, newspapers ship what’s vital to you.

Your native newspaper is way over simply print. Within the ever-changing media panorama, native newspapers have advanced to true multi-channel content material suppliers. From web sites to apps, emails, newsletters, video and podcasts, native newspapers are delivering information in revolutionary methods. As a reader, you get to decide on when and the place to get the information you want, and regardless of the tactic, can at all times be assured what you’re studying is credible and dependable.

Though the format or system readers use to attach with their native newspaper would possibly differ, it’s clear that newspapers are relied on because the supply for native information. A latest nationwide research carried out by the impartial analysis agency Coda Ventures exhibits that 79% of Individuals use native newspapers to remain knowledgeable about their communities and rely upon them to really feel related and to resolve the place they stand on native points and to seek out locations and issues to do. Additional, six out of 10 American adults use newspaper promoting to assist them resolve what manufacturers, merchandise and native providers to purchase. It’s clear that native newspapers are very important to wholesome communities.

Despite the brand new methods to attach together with your native newspaper, it’s true that the newspaper trade is dealing with vital challenges. Rising prices, nationwide opponents and the impression of Massive Tech firms utilizing newspapers’ content material with out compensation have all impacted your native newspaper. Now, greater than ever, we’d like their dedication to journalism’s core values. As we acknowledge Nationwide Newspaper Week, let’s deal with the very important function that newspapers play, and think about how we will assist them. Subscribing or promoting in your native newspaper not solely helps the newspaper however can be an funding in your group.

On a nationwide degree, the Neighborhood Information and Small Enterprise Assist Act (HR 4756) has lately been launched in Congress. This invoice would offer native newspapers with monetary assist for his or her newsroom staff, and would go a protracted technique to offering your newspaper with assist for the reporters and photographers which are sorely wanted. Encourage your members of Congress to assist this invoice!

Whether or not you entry the content material out of your native newspaper in print or on-line, do not forget that it’s produced for you. And behind the articles, columns, and pictures your newspaper produces is a group of native residents who’re dedicated to creating your group stronger! Be part of me in thanking your native newspaper — throughout Nationwide Newspaper Week — for the nice work it does to maintain your group knowledgeable.

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers.