Newspapers and other businesses have been taking a hit ever since COVID-19. This past week it has become even more clear to me that local businesses have been reluctant to advertise. Some say that advertising on Facebook is enough. However, what citizens fail to realize is that your local newspaper is the official record keeper of what happens in the community.
When businesses open for the first time, who is there for the ribbon cutting and photographing the event…..your local newspaper.
When someone passes away …..it’s published in the newspaper.
When John Doe scores the game-winning touchdown…published in the newspaper. And when you want to research a past event, where does that data come from…the newspaper.
Over 44 newspapers closed down the first year of COVID and more since then.
Journalists are not getting rich doing their jobs. Some make less than $26,000 a year. I average 700 miles every two weeks driving to high school sporting events to cover our local athletes. We only have six holidays off but still have to get a paper out on those holidays. It’s a 24/7 job and when I ask for a business to advertise in an award-winning magazine that features local athletes and am rejected, it hurts. I take it personally because my job is my life. These kids are my kids. They are kids that I’ve covered since the second grade in some instances.For the most part, they’re the children of my classmates and friendships that I’ve developed through the years. Each one is full of potential.
The bottom line is if no one advertises in the newspaper, there is no newspaper. Imagine no Eufaula Indian Journal or McIntosh County Democrat – Oklahoma’s oldest newspapers gone. No articles to cut out for your scrapbook! Nothing.
The staff at these two newspapers work hard to bring you award-winning products in every area.
So please, support your local newspapers. Support us to bring you the latest news in OUR and YOUR community. Advertise in the newspaper. With all my heart I implore you to support local journalism.
1-2-3 break.
