The Future of Local Journalism, Part I: Stiff headwinds

The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the first in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened.

There was a time when cities and communities of all sizes printed a daily or weekly newspaper that kept residents informed of news and events. Residents knew who the high school sports heroes were and who won the academic awards, what time the July 4th parade would start, what the police blotter revealed, and who was running for office. Newspapers connected neighbors to their communities.

To Courier reporter Maria Karagianis, the importance of local journalism goes even further. Karagianis said, "'Democracy dies in darkness.' As a young reporter in South Africa during apartheid many years ago, I lived and worked in a police state with spies in the newsroom and reporters being jailed. I believe that at this time in America, local journalism remains more important than ever."

Despite its benefits, local journalism began its decline at least 20 years ago. The rise of social media and the internet take most of the blame. People can find the news they want, and only the news they want, quickly and frequently at no cost.

The formerly-successful business model of the local journalism industry became very wobbly. Between 2004 and 2023, the number of non-daily newspapers in the U.S. fell from 7400 to 4800. Colorado's print industry suffered a similar decline, with communities in the eastern plains and other rural areas without a local news source becoming so-called "news deserts."

Companies which survive and thrive are constantly addressing the instability in the industry. For example, publishing houses have closed in large numbers, leaving small news organizations scrambling. This recently had repercussions for the Courier. Its publisher, Prairie Mountain Media, shuttered its Berthoud operation over the summer.

Vicki Maurer, the Courier's Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the organization, was responsible for replacing the critical service. She identified only two viable options, both located hours away from Niwot. One was in Wyoming, the other in Gypsum, Colorado.

Maurer said, "The Wyoming printer had too many requests from other newspapers. Colorado Mountain News Media in Gypsum was available and began printing the Courier [in August]." However, a delivery service had to be hired to transport the papers 152 miles across the Continental Divide. The drive takes three hours when the weather is clear. The print edition now arrives in Niwot a day later, on Thursday instead of Wednesday. It will require at least 125 additional e-edition subscriptions to cover the higher costs versus those of the former printer.

Next week, the series "The Future of Local Journalism," will continue with "Part II: Introducing the Courier." The article will provide an overview of the history of the paper, key milestones, its coverage area, benefits to the community and an introduction to the reporters and other staff members. It will be available to e-edition subscribers. Subscriptions are available at https://www.lhvc.com/subscribe/start for $99 per year, with a money-back guarantee for 30 days to first-time subscribers.