News. We all want it, but it takes a community to provide it! Many local citizens, which includes professional journalists, who are concerned about Orange County’s lack of a printed newspaper have created an organization called Friends of Local Journalism. They are committed to resurrecting a printed and/or digital Orange County and Northern Chatham newspaper so that residents of our area can stay informed about important local news and issues.
Del Snow, one of the founders of Friends of Local Journalism, is confident that the lack of a local newspaper is not because of lack of interest in local journalism, but rather because the out-of-state corporation that bought the Chapel Hill News — and many other local papers — incurred tremendous debt and has been trying to cut costs by laying off staff, reducing coverage, and, in some cases, shutting down papers altogether.
Not surprisingly, Friends of Local Journalism received 900 responses from their survey taken by Orange County residents, which revealed overwhelming support for a local newspaper. The founding group has met with a number of area publishers and editors to gain insight into costs and challenges and receive advice.
Jock Lauterer, a professor, author, and nationally recognized advocate for community journalism, firmly believes in the importance and viability of local journalism. Jock has confidence that, with a solid business plan, professional staff, and willing volunteers, Orange County can also have a paper that covers local news, provides a forum for diverse views, and helps nurture community.
The working group members have laid out the specifics of their vision — a fact-based weekly publication that reports on local governance, includes ample room for letters to the editor and community contributed op-eds, provides coverage of local school issues, local sports, local business, community and arts events, and includes life cycle announcements such as weddings and obituaries.
The future of our local community journalism is up to you. If you are committed to local coverage that is unbiased and objective, while providing a platform for diverse opinion based op-eds and letters to the editor, please join them in this effort.
Friends of Local Journalism is asking for your support. Click here to make a pledge so that they can bring back our local paper.