It’s 11:30pm and I’m Pissed
There I was, last Tuesday, scrolling through my phone, when I saw it. Another local news outlet shutting down. This time it was the Aberdeen Herald, a paper that’s been around since 1849. Gone. Just like that. I mean, I knew it was coming, but still. It stung.
I’ve been in this business for 20+ years. I’ve seen alot change. But this? This is different. This is scary.
Let’s Talk About Marcus
I had coffee with a guy last week—let’s call him Marcus. He’s a reporter, been at it for about 15 years. He told me, straight up, that he’s scared. Not for himself, but for the industry. For the committment to local news coverage update. For the people who rely on it.
“I mean,” he said, “who’s gonna cover the city council meetings now? Who’s gonna tell the stories of the people who can’t afford to shout?”
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
It’s Not Just About the News
Look, I get it. News is gonna change. It’s completley normal, right? But it’s not just about the news. It’s about the fabric of our communities. It’s about trust. It’s about knowing that someone’s watching out for us. That’s what local news does.
I remember back in ’98, during the flood in Aberdeen. The local news was there, waist-deep in water, reporting live. They kept us informed. They kept us safe. That’s the kinda thing you can’t put a price on.
But Here’s the Thing…
We can’t just sit here and complain. We gotta do something. I’ve been thinking alot about this, and honestly, I’m not sure what the answer is. But I know it’s gonna take more than just hoping for the best.
I talked to a colleague named Dave about this. He’s a digital guy, always got his finger on the pulse. He told me about some new platforms popping up, trying to fill the gap. But he also said, “It’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna take time, and money, and a hell of a lot of physicaly hard work.”
Which, yeah. No kidding.
A Tangent: The Internet is a Mess
Speaking of the internet, have you seen what’s out there? It’s a mess. A completley unregulated, chaotic mess. And it’s not just affecting news. It’s affecting everything. But that’s a story for another time.
What Can We Do?
So, what can we do? Well, first, we gotta support the local news outlets that are still standing. Subscribe. Share their stories. Tell your friends. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, maybe even throw some money their way.
Second, we gotta demand better from the big players. They’ve got the resources. They’ve got the reach. They need to step up and fill the gap left by the local news outlets that have shut down.
And finally, we gotta innovate. We gotta find new ways to deliver local news. Maybe it’s through podcasts, or social media, or some kinda aquisition of new technology I haven’t even thought of yet. But we gotta do something.
I’m not sure what the answer is. But I know we can’t just sit here and do nothing. We gotta act. Now.
So, let’s get to it. Let’s save local news. Before it’s too late.
Oh, and if you’re looking for the latest local news coverage update, check out this site. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.
And that’s all I’ve got. For now.
About the Author: I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve seen alot in this industry, and I’m not afraid to say what I think. I believe in the power of local news, and I’m gonna fight for it until my last breath. Follow me on Twitter @sarah_edits.
