By The Hutchinson Tribune Editorial Board
Print journalism is not dead.
If you thought it was, that would be understandable, given the state of the old local paper. It is about time to call the undertaker.
It has been a tragedy to watch this whole region lose what was once a pillar of the community. We have all suffered from that loss, whether we recognize it or not.
Without a good newspaper, events that take place are lost to time instead of being recorded for history. Local issues are not explained, especially not on the national news, which keeps us stressed and glued to our screens, but does little else for us.
It truly doesn’t have to be that way. There is a model for locally-owned newspapers, which at their best amplify local pride, provide trusted information, and explain complex topics that are important to your daily life.
Good journalists serve as both watchdogs and cheerleaders. In a world filled with too much noise, it can be hard to sort out the good information from the nonsense. Reporters not only record local history — they also do the research and ask follow-up questions so readers can know what really happened.
We can have that again. It turns out that a successful model for locally-owned newspapers exists if one removes the need for outsized corporate profits and the emphasis on maximizing quarterly returns.
The Hutchinson Tribune is bringing a real, locally owned newspaper back to you in print, starting today.
This is hardly the beginning of the journey. The Hutchinson Tribune has been gaining support for two years online under the guidance of high school student Michael Glenn and research librarian Gina Long. Thousands of locals have already subscribed to the daily email newsletter they started.
Working part-time with the help of a few freelance writers, they filled a gap in coverage of local government and community events. Their efforts with limited time and budget were truly remarkable and gained national attention within the publishing industry.
In June, Glenn and Long sold their startup to Joey and Lindsey Young, owners of Kansas Publishing Ventures, and a group of local investors, including Jackson Swearer, the publisher.
As we prepare the first print edition of The Hutchinson Tribune, Glenn has left for college, and there are three new full-time reporters in the newsroom with more on the way. Many freelance writers add their contributions as well. We are excited about the team that we are building and the opportunity to introduce readers to the reporters who will be covering their local community.
Over the summer, we received overwhelming support from over 200 Founders who purchased year-long print subscriptions before the first edition. Many others joined us online or began subscribing to the email newsletter. We are so grateful for those who placed their trust in us as a source of news.
The business models for journalism are changing. Habits are shifting. Newspapers have to change to meet modern consumer demands, but they retain their core mission of service to a community through providing clear and fair information on which decisions are made. Democracy demands something that only journalism can provide.
Along with change often comes some loss, but also opportunities for growth. The Hutchinson Tribune looks forward to growing and changing along with our local community.
We are convinced that local journalism and a physical print product documenting the community’s history will remain relevant for many years to come.
Rural America remains relevant, too, despite reports from news outlets far from our local communities. We reject that narrative just as much as we reject the idea that print newspapers are dying. They are changing, however, and the communities that embrace that change will be successful going forward.
Our community has a lot to offer – the future is bright.
How are we so sure?
Print journalism is back.