This National Newspaper Week, a reminder local journalism matters

WE CHRONICLE MANY celebrations throughout the year, so we’d like to take a moment to enjoy one that involves us.

During the first full week of October each year, the newspaper industry recognizes the editors, reporters, sales teams, press operators and managers who contribute to producing the “daily miracle.”

It takes a dedicated team to ensure that our readers have access to quality, truthful journalism.

Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities. Print and digital newspapers connect with readers by providing the news they need and advertising they rely on. Readers regard community newspapers as highly valuable and important sources of information. To build a better future, it is vital to support local journalism through subscriptions, donations, sharing stories, and encouraging young reporters.

National Newspaper Week also honors the vital and longstanding tradition of a free press in America. Free press is a freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, and it has served as an important safeguard since our nation was founded.

The media have gotten plenty of bad press of their own in recent years as the American political divide has grown more strident.

CNN and Fox News don’t typically care about the third annual Wall of Fame being unveiled Oct. 18 at Monessen High School or that the 22nd annual Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer walk will be held Saturday in Donora.

But we do — we care a lot. Of course we care about what’s happening on the national stage, but we know our readers can catch the vast majority of that news in myriad other ways.

But the Mon Valley Independent finds a way to make the municipal budget talks, tax increases, public safety, who’s on the homecoming court, what’s going on inside our schools and our hometown sports all a priority by our newsroom staff.

When we published our first issue on May 2, 2016, we promised to provide the best coverage of the people, places and events that concern residents of the Mon Valley, and we have worked to keep that promise every day we’ve been in business.

The last decade or so has brought tough times for newspapers, with increased competition from social media and other unverified or so-called news sources.

By embracing local journalism, we’re not just preserving the past—we’re shaping a more informed, connected and empowered future.

No media works harder than newspapers to provide you with credible information about what matters most to you — news about local people, local government, local happenings and local businesses — all captured by members of the local community. In short, “What happens here, matters here.”

That’s been our motto since our first issue, and it remains our promise to all our readers.