Bankruptcy, pandemic threaten local news. But it is essential to Bradenton | Opinion
As small-town newspapers are purchased all over the country and consolidated into large corporations, many papers have either been eliminated or have had their former capacity stripped. The inability to support talented reporters with competitive salaries further erodes coverage of beats that provide important information, transparency, accountability and engagement that are so critical to smaller communities.
Our paper includes local news and perspectives on key challenges and opportunities such as foster care, racism, sex trafficking, and support for local needs such as schools and infrastructure. It has provided excellent coverage of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. We need these stories to understand complex issues and how to do our work as active citizens.
With the changing media landscape, it is challenging to find the best model to provide local news that helps sustain quality of life within communities such as ours. As our local newspaper is part of the McClatchy bankruptcy, major changes have been forced upon the paper to reduce costs.
While companies and businesses are trying to maximize the benefits of their advertising dollars, we hope they will continue to purchase paid media in the Bradenton Herald. In many places, philanthropy is supporting local news through creative models and nonprofit news outlets. We are proud to support community reporting on the impact of COVID-19 here in Bradenton through a grant made possible by the Knight Foundation.
The Bradenton Herald tells the stories we need to be aware of — bringing issues that would otherwise be discussed and lived behind closed doors into the forefront. We are hopeful that any new owner will insist that this news outlet will be given the resources to grow local journalism. News is a service to readers in this region, and all of us who strive to be engaged in our communities have a lot at stake.
Our country has long been recognized for its strength in individual and collective initiatives to help meet human and community needs. We need solutions to assure that these powerful tools are not lost to our communities. Let’s bring together the best minds to bear on this issue and find solutions that are sustainable and help keep our communities strong in a tradition of information.
Dr. James Davis is chairman of the board of directors at the Manatee Community Foundation. Susie Bowie is the foundation’s executive director.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 7:57 AM.