Local News Doesn’t Work Without Local Support

Daniel Richardson, Publisher of Richardson Media Group

Every now and then, I’ll see someone pick up a copy of the paper because their child or grandchild is in it.
Maybe it’s a ballgame photo. Maybe it’s a school event. Maybe it’s a feature story or a little recognition that means something to the family. And for that week, the paper is worth a dollar. It gets taken home, shown around, maybe even saved.
That’s one of the best parts of what we do.
But it also points to a bigger reality that isn’t always as obvious:
Local news doesn’t work without local support.
A community newspaper isn’t something that just exists on its own. It doesn’t show up each week by accident. It takes reporters, photographers, editors, printing, delivery, and a whole lot of coordination behind the scenes.
And it takes support.
Across the country, more and more communities are waking up to something they never expected — life without a local newspaper. These areas are often called “news deserts,” places where there is little to no consistent coverage of local government, schools, businesses, or everyday community life.
At first glance, it may not seem like a big deal. After all, there’s still national news on television, social media, and online.
But what’s missing is the local connection.
Who’s covering the school board meeting? Who’s reporting on the county budget? Who’s telling the story of the local business that just opened, or the family that’s going through a difficult time?
Without local news, those stories often go untold.
And the effects go deeper than that. Communities without local journalism tend to be less informed, less engaged, and less connected. Accountability can slip. Participation can decline.
Over time, something important is lost — not all at once, but gradually.
That’s why local support matters.
Subscribing to your local newspaper isn’t just about getting the paper. It’s about making sure it continues to exist. It’s a vote for keeping your community informed and connected.
The same goes for advertising. When local businesses choose to advertise in the newspaper,
they’re not just promoting their services — they’re helping sustain a platform that benefits the entire community.
It’s a shared effort.
We all enjoy seeing the highlights — the photos, the stories, the moments that capture our towns and our people. But those things only continue if there’s steady, consistent support behind them.

A newspaper can’t survive on occasional purchases alone. It depends on readers who choose to subscribe, and businesses that choose to invest in reaching their neighbors.
No one expects every resident to think about this every week. But it’s worth considering from time to time.
Because one day, if that support isn’t there, people may notice something missing.
Not all at once. Not with a big announcement. Just a quiet absence where something important used to be.
So, if you’re a subscriber, thank you. Are your friends, neighbors, and family? If not, encourage
them to subscribe as well. Share the paper with them. Tell them why it matters to you. And when you’re out supporting local businesses, let them know you appreciate seeing them in the paper.
Encourage them to advertise. A strong newspaper depends on a strong network of readers and
businesses working together, and that support makes all the difference.
Local news doesn’t work without local support.
And strong communities don’t either.