Let’s not sugarcoat the situation: Local news is in a dire spot. Newspapers are closing at an alarming rate—2.5 per week in 2023, according to a Northwestern University study. Broadcast journalism networks aren’t immune to the changing times either. A Pew Research study shows local TV news has seen a steady decline since 2016. Even local radio stations are in decline, although podcast consumption is on the rise.

So, what does this mean for you? It should mean a lot. As the decline of local news outlets continues, so too does the rise of “news deserts.” These deserts aren’t just barren; they’re dangerous. Without reliable information, people are left to rely on Facebook “news” groups and your weird uncle amassing a large following by posting conspiracy theories. What took place of the trusted town news source is now just a social media feed full of misinformation and useless content.

There is no greater threat to our democracy than the decline of local news. Our forefathers recognized this, which is why the First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Did you catch that last part? “The press.”

Imagine this: Your local County Commissioners walk into a meeting, only to find that not a single person from the media or the public is there. With most residents at work by 9 a.m., the 8:30 a.m. start time makes it difficult for them to attend on a Monday morning. But now, you have elected officials making decisions without any public oversight or questions. Sounds scary, right? Unfortunately, this is a reality in much of America today.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. As news consumption preferences change, there’s an opportunity to meet people where they are. That’s our goal at the Ardmore Leader. We want to reach our community, whether through written articles, multimedia, or social media. Our mission is to keep you informed about the local issues that matter most.

This is why your support of the Leader is crucial to our success. We’re dependent on YOU to succeed. If the public stops supporting us, we will cease to exist. What does that support look like? It means telling your friends about us, encouraging them to like and follow us on social media (which is today’s version of subscribing to a newspaper), signing up for our newsletters, and engaging with our content in whatever way works best for you.

More importantly, give us feedback. Let us know what you want us to cover, critique what we’ve written, leave comments on our social media, or write a letter to the editor. Your involvement is what makes our news outlet truly local.

Our content will always be free to access, and we’re committed to keeping it that way. We believe in providing valuable local news to everyone in our community without the barrier of a paywall. No subscriptions, no hidden fees—just straightforward, reliable journalism you can trust, at no cost to you.

However, maintaining this model isn’t free. Money doesn’t grow on trees, and to keep our content free, we rely on local businesses to advertise with us. So, encourage your friends with local businesses to advertise with us. It’s no secret: Our business model is built on advertising, and we attract potential advertisers by building a loyal, engaged local audience.

On behalf of our team, we’re excited about the opportunities our locally owned and operated news outlet provides. We can’t wait to support our community through truthful, timely local news. But we need your support to make it happen. Are you ready to help?