There was a great story in last Saturday’s New York Times:
More Than 1 in 5 U.S. Papers Has Closed. This Is the Result: Readers across the country told us how they were affected by the decline of local news, “Our community does not know itself.” (Click this link to read the full article ~ https://nyti.ms/360KsTG)
I can’t help but think of the classic Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. You have the three ghosts that are easy to relate to in the local news environment.
First, the ghost of local news past. Where communities had thriving local news sources, where residents had information about the important matters in their community. The big issues were discussed and understood. There were reports on their communities — in short, there was a common thread that comes with information that ties a community together.
Then comes the ghost of local news present. Communities are getting less and less local news. Facebook gripes and rumors may be the only sources of what goes on in many communities. Local news sources are disappearing, and people are living in communities that have no way to connect or get involved. The fabric that ties these communities is unraveling as a result.
Finally, there is the ghost of local news future. There is a movement fighting back against the trends, working hard to resurrect local news. That was the idea behind The Bedford Citizen and hundreds of other grassroots efforts around the country, to keep local news alive and well. The future is in the hands of our community. The way local news survives, and to a large extent, the sense of the community is up to us. Local news survives when a community decides it’s important. That’s why we need your help.
We are blessed in Bedford that our readers support what we do for the most part, but there is so much more that we could do. We have a little over a week to go for our annual fundraising appeal. This year we have been awarded a matching grant, that doubles your gift.
The New York Times article gives us a window as to what the future could hold. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, we have a chance to glimpse the future, and it’s up to us how we move forward. So please, as you make your year-end gifts, give generously to keep The Bedford Citizen’s future bright.
“What’s to-day, my fine fellow?” said Scrooge.
“To-day!” replied the boy. “Why, Christmas Day.”
“It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it.”
Editor’s Note: It’s not too late to double your gift to The Bedford Citizen; our News Match grant is open until December 31.
“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!
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