From the Founder’s Desk: We’re doing our part to save local news

I recently attended a national conference of nonprofit news organizations. where I shared ideas with hundreds of colleagues across the U.S. who, like me, are passionate about ensuring the survival of local news.

While all the sessions I attended were helpful, the biggest takeaway was this: No matter the size of their publication or the audience they serve, almost everyone is finding it a challenge to raise the money needed to adequately provide news for their communities. Organization leaders are multitasking as best they can, with one woman describing her role as that of an “everything bagel.” She is both the executive director and editorial director of her small nonprofit newsroom, meaning she is tasked not only with administrative functions like finance and human resources, but also oversees fundraising. And also does much of the reporting and editing.

As a fellow “everything bagel,” I can relate to her challenge.

The biggest cost for those of us providing local news is paying people. Many newsroom leaders end up becoming an “everything bagel” because there isn’t enough budget to adequately staff their organizations. This means that coverage of communities is spread thin.

And the number of journalists continues to dwindle, as highlighted in the latest national journalism index.

Nationally and locally, the reporter shortage persists unabated. The national average now is 7.8 Local Journalist Equivalents (LJEs) per 100,000 residents, an 81% decline from roughly 40 per 100,000 in 2002. A year ago, it was 8.2. About 70% of counties nationwide (209 million people) are below average. Only 33 counties match the 2002 average. Counties are listed here. 

Snohomish County is below both the national and Washington state average:

Population: 864,113

National average: 7.8 Local Journalist Equivalents

State average: 7.92 Local Journalist Equivalents

Snohomish County average: 5.69 per 100,000 people

Since our organization moved to nonprofit status three years ago, we’ve been able to expand our staff a bit, thanks to the increasing generosity of our donors and the support of our advertisers. And, we’ve been fortunate to have — for the past two years — a state-funded news fellow through a program at Washington State University’s Murrow School.

That Murrow School position is ending in October. We are on a mission to fully fund the work of our current news fellow, Angelica Relente, who has been doing an outstanding job covering housing and homelessness issues in South Snohomish County.

While it’s easy to be negative about the challenges facing local news, I am upbeat because our readers have consistently stepped up to support us — not only with financial donations, but with news tips, fun photos and words of encouragement. It means the world to us that you believe in what we do.

Soon, we will be announcing our summer matching campaign, with a goal of raising enough money to cover that housing beat. Additional funds raised during that campaign, along with dollars generated during our annual NewsMatch fundraiser in November-December, will help us better serve our communities with the trusted news you’ve come to rely on for nearly 17 years.

If you want to get a head start and contribute today, you can do so at this link.

With gratitude.

Teresa Wippel

Founder, President and CEO
My Neighborhood News Group
My Edmonds News/My MLT News/My Lynnwood News