Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board:
Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim
Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by
Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
The Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ was . It was a four-page, five-column weekly. “Our first aim and object shall be to publish such news of local and general character as will be of interest to our readers, paying especial attention to such matters as may record a step taken in the direction of this magnificent country’s development,†a salutatory editorial said on March 27, 1903.
It’s an honor to carry on that tradition and tell your stories. We strive to continue for another 100-plus years.
Not for the first time in The ÅÝֱܽ²¥â€™s history, though, the newspaper is in trouble. Though its not the case here, newspapers do die. There have been thousands of examples of that across the country. . There are many counties in Oregon where there is no regular coverage of the peaks and valleys of residents and whatever the government is up to.
The ÅÝֱܽ²¥ and other papers of EO Media Group aren’t immune to the same pressures. We are trying to adapt. The recent layoffs hurt the most. Pay cuts really sting when they cut into a journalist’s already meagre salary. Some of you have shared with us you didn’t like it when we switched home delivery to mail delivery. You long for the thump on the driveway and the print newspaper to go with your morning coffee — for it to be that ÅÝֱܽ²¥ again. But the business model had to be revised to fit the modern financial reality.
What went wrong?
The recent, immediate damage was done by a burst in health care costs and increased premiums. The movement of advertising away from newspapers has been a more persistent wounding.
EO Media Group and members of this community joined together in 2019 to save The ÅÝֱܽ²¥ and other local Oregon journalism. They did not buy the paper to scoop out cash. And they didn’t do that. The owner of the company drives a Kia.
The future is likely a sale of the company. The ownership are only looking to sell to an entity that shares their values for local journalism. It may be a nonprofit. Subscribers and advertisers who recognize the special value of our audience are what carry us on.
There is no promise of permanence for any business. But we don’t want so many important stories to go untold. We want to tell truths about the pressure points of growth, the struggles with affordability, the faces of the homeless and so many more.
We don’t plan to scatter. With your help, we will stick.
Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board: Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board:
Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim
Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by
Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
The Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ has played such an important role in educating the residents of Central Oregon and beyond. The newspaper has been key to helping us as citizens be aware of what is important and all the events that are taking place around us. Most importantly it is a local source of news that helps to create a shared culture. A source of pride for all residents.
The quality of journalism at the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ surpasses many newspapers, even some of the larger well funded organizations. Adaptive changes to news delivery, including digital delivery, is a must for any regional newspaper and the BB has taken steps to address that.
How do we bring attention to this in a way that everyone in the city understands the opportunity to better support our newspaper? Both subscribers and advertisers. We simply cannot afford to lose the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Is there a way to develop a campaign of sorts, one that draws attention including billboards that might simply say, "Save the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥"? I believe that if everyone in the city was aware of this article and the situation, we would see a groundswell start to take shape. Let's bring our best minds and thinking together to support the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ as it successfully navigates it's evolution as a newspaper.
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(2) comments
“With your help, we will stickâ€. How can we help?
This certainly grabbed my attention this morning.
The Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ has played such an important role in educating the residents of Central Oregon and beyond. The newspaper has been key to helping us as citizens be aware of what is important and all the events that are taking place around us. Most importantly it is a local source of news that helps to create a shared culture. A source of pride for all residents.
The quality of journalism at the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ surpasses many newspapers, even some of the larger well funded organizations. Adaptive changes to news delivery, including digital delivery, is a must for any regional newspaper and the BB has taken steps to address that.
How do we bring attention to this in a way that everyone in the city understands the opportunity to better support our newspaper? Both subscribers and advertisers. We simply cannot afford to lose the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Is there a way to develop a campaign of sorts, one that draws attention including billboards that might simply say, "Save the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥"? I believe that if everyone in the city was aware of this article and the situation, we would see a groundswell start to take shape. Let's bring our best minds and thinking together to support the Bend ÅÝֱܽ²¥ as it successfully navigates it's evolution as a newspaper.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.