Staying in print is worth the effort
What we lose when a newspaper fades
Below is Michael Levy’s column on what we lose when a local newspaper fades, but let’s start with a preamble from the publisher…
Staying in print is worth the effort
By Darren Johnson
Journal & Press
It seems like there is an uptick of print publications calling it a day. The latest is this one, which faithfully appeared in our mailboxes for as long as I can remember.
It says it’s going all digital, so in essence will still exist for its fanbase, and it may find some new fans online, those who don’t get postal mail in Washington County. We wish them the best.
While I find that in 2025 putting out a print product is an uphill battle, especially in an area that seems to have low population numbers that aren’t really rising (nor is the economic outlook), and considering we’re in a digital-first culture now, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep print going for a good while longer.
First off, advertisers may get a tax credit from the state soon for advertising in print. Essentially, they can buy a few thousand bucks in ads for free! Perhaps that will entice some struggling local businesses to do what they are not doing enough of — marketing. I will post an article on that tax credit below. (Advertise here.)
Second, this Substack has been a pretty good adjunct to the print paper. It allows our content to be fluid — we could surprise you at any time — and I think we’re in much better shape as a digital entity here vs. any other area paper. That’s because we have lots of genuine content. Over 80 people have pay-subscribed to this Substack, and you can, too, here:
Third, what we did in separating out The Salem Press can be done in other communities. We see potential with such hyper-local journalism growth in that way.
Finally, I have a plan for regionalizing content, while working with a major institution to support this effort, and will be able to announce the details of that this summer.
All of this will help us keep the print edition going. We just need to hang on.
If you want a print-only subscription, click this icon:
What we lose when local media fades
By Michael Levy
Journal & Press
Once upon a time, the heart of Washington County, NY, beat in rhythm with its local newspapers. For instance, the Greenwich Journal and Salem Press served as a vital source of information for our community, providing updates on high school sports, town meetings, and celebrating the milestones achieved by our neighbors. Today, as these institutions dwindle, we are left to wonder—what have we lost? And more importantly, can we ever get it back?
Local newspapers and radio stations were more than just media outlets; they were the soul of our community. The local paper delivered more than just headlines—it told you who got married, who made the Dean’s list at college, who won the Cambridge-Greenwich boys’ varsity basketball game, and what time the Elk’s Spring Craft Fair was set to begin. It held businesses and local officials accountable, celebrated local heroes, and remembered those we had lost. If you wanted to buy a used lawnmower, rent an apartment, or keep up with important legal announcements, the classified section had you covered.
Radio, too, played an irreplaceable role. While I do not recall a local radio station here in Washington County, Capital District AM radio stations like WGY had local news and weather. On snow-covered mornings, the familiar voice of a trusted host told us whether school was canceled in Greenwich or Argyle. It was immediate, intimate, uniquely ours, and very local.
But times have changed. The rise of the internet, social media, and corporate media consolidation has led to the demise of many of these small, independent institutions. Local papers folded or were bought out, their once-vibrant pages now reduced to generic news feeds and press releases. Radio stations, once voices of the community, have been replaced by syndicated programming from miles away, with little connection to the people they broadcast to.
Without these trusted sources, our communities have become more fragmented. People turn to national outlets for their news, missing the hyperlocal stories that once connected them to their neighbors. While we receive updates on international events instantaneously, we may remain unaware of the closure of a cherished local business or lack a reliable source for the current status of the village’s water project as spring approaches. Social media, while immediate, is often chaotic and unreliable.
Local newspapers and radio stations were never just about the news - they were about us. They told us who we were, what we valued, and where we were headed. In losing them, we did not just lose information. We lost a piece of ourselves. The question now is whether we can reclaim what was lost.
The editor of this newspaper, Darren Johnson, is trying to make things work and he should be applauded for his Sisyphean efforts. The Greenwich Journal and Salem Press is but one part of a bigger local news ecosystem that needs to be created. We are still in a “news desert” where our “thirst” for information remains unsatiated. Publishing items as minor as police blotters, real estate transactions, and interviews with influential local figures will help everyone understand our community better.
For example, towns around the country are seeing the resurgence of independent journalism through digital newsletters and community-driven reporting. Low-power FM radio stations and internet podcasts are emerging to bring back local voices to an extent. (Does anyone else remember “Greenwich Community Radio” at the Youth Center?)
However, all this remains an uphill battle. Supporting local journalism means subscribing, donating, and engaging. News outlets rely on advertising for support, necessitating that businesses place advertisements and subscribers respond appropriately. It means valuing the work of those who dedicate themselves to telling our stories. Today’s random thought—perhaps the next chapter in our community’s story will be about how we build our local news ecosystem for a more informed and better tomorrow.
Michael Levy is a retired government manager residing in Greenwich NY and is employed now as a technical consultant. He is also a Commercial Pilot and a Ham Radio operator.
New tax credit for small businesses gains momentum
Albany rally highlights bill that would provide local small businesses with up to $4,000 for marketing in community media
A first-of-its-kind tax credit to give small businesses in Washington and Saratoga counties some much-needed financial support is gaining momentum in Albany.
Earlier this month, a large bipartisan group of New York State legislators joined business leaders and local news organizations in person at the State Capitol in support of the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally (LOCAL) Act, which would establish a new $10 million tax credit for small businesses advertising in local media outlets. Sponsored by State Senator Monica R. Martinez and Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford, the LOCAL Act aims to maximize the reach of small businesses’ advertising dollars, while supporting the work of the media outlets New Yorkers rely on every day for critical information.
“Communities are built on connections with neighbors, and the same is true for small businesses. The LOCAL Act supports this relationship by encouraging these community-based businesses to advertise with the media outlets already trusted by the neighbors they are committed to serving,” Martinez said at the March 11 event.
The LOCAL Act now has four co-sponsors in the State Senate and seven in the Assembly, several of whom attended the rally. Ahead of the rally, nearly 20 major business groups across New York – including the National Federation of Independent Business, Upstate United and the Queens Chamber of Commerce – sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state leadership urging them to support the LOCAL Act.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, driving job creation and growth in communities across New York. However, they continue to face significant financial challenges…This is pragmatic legislation that will help – and be tremendously appreciated by – the thousands of small businesses that make New York the world's preeminent place to start and operate a business,” the letter reads.
Championed by the Empire State Local News Coalition, the LOCAL Act also has the staunch support of the coalition’s more than 200 local newspapers across the state. More than two-and-a-half U.S. newspapers disappear per week, and here in New York, several counties have only one local news outlet.
“The LOCAL Act is a win-win-win for local businesses, local news, and local communities,” Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said. “These institutions are intricately connected and work together to create the vibrant communities that New Yorkers love.”
Under the LOCAL Act, a minority-, woman- or veteran-owned business, as well as any business with 10 employees or fewer, would be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 80% of its first $5,000 of local advertising for a maximum credit of $4,000 per year. The program would be capped at $10 million annually.
“The LOCAL Act is about more than just advertising – it’s about investing in the economic health of our local community and investing in the kind of local journalism that we need now more than ever,” Lunsford said.
The bill is expected to be voted on later this year.
And Now for the Comics — ‘Animal Crackers’ by Mike Osbun
More tomorrow!
What happens with a paid print subscription? Do I get an issue mauked to me? Why is there no contact information on your website?