Viewpoint: Community newspapers still strongly wanted, needed

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A famous quote by author-humorist Mark Twain may also apply to 21st Century community newspapers: “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

Despite what you may have heard about the state of affairs for newspapers in general these days, locally based community publications like the South Washington County Bulletin are still alive — and growing.

In his editorial column “People rely on sources they trust” to the right of this column, William Marcil refers to the premature contention that newspapers are dying.

Marcil is the publisher of The Forum of Fargo -Moorhead newspaper and CEO of Forum Communications Co., parent company of the South Washington County Bulletin. He also speaks of the important roles newspapers continue to play.

This is why the South Washington County Bulletin remains vital. We have loyal readers who still strongly desire what only community newspapers like ours can provide to them. We make this contention by way of a few “numbers” we see for our company.

On any given week, our traditional print version has a roughly 15,000-person readership. We wouldn’t have so many readers on a regular basis if they didn’t feel we were worthy of their attention and time.

The Internet incarnation of the South Washington County Bulletin, www.swcbulletin.com, attracts even greater readership.

Our current Web site tallies remain high, increasing each week as more and more visitors find us on the Internet and become regular readers of our site. In fact, over the course of one year, our average monthly pageview counts have nearly tripled.

Today, we do a better job than ever of delivering the news and advertising because we can bring it immediately to our Web site at any time.

Between the two versions of the South Washington County Bulletin — weekly print and daily Internet — readers will find the community items they want most. The Bulletin is filled with stories and photos pertaining to breaking news, city and county government, sports, schools, business, faith, feature articles and opinions.

It’s also a place for area merchants and companies to advertise goods or services that South Washington County Bulletin readers need — or want to know more about.

No one delivers Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park information better than — and to such a degree as — the South Washington County Bulletin.

Certainly, there are challenges the newspaper business as a whole is facing in the current economic climate, as is the case for other sorts of industries these days.

But like other industries, there are bright spots still shining in the economic gloom. In the print industry, it’s community newspapers. And the South Washington County Bulletin is your community newspaper.

Tags: jeff patterson, opinion, viewpoint, newspapers