Missing Headline

When a newspaper falters does it face its demise with headlines or silence?

A good question. The internet has taken its toll on advertising revenues for most publications. Niche market publications continue to show signs of life but they, too, are having a rough time of it.

The cost of printing is one variable expense. Paper stock is a commodity and subject to price fluctuations. Ink, on the other hand, is a commodity that is volatile. Oil based inks have been usurped by soy based product as well as other bio-degradable fluids that are source-sustainable and non-polluting. Printing, however, is small potatoes.

Distribution costs are the constant threat. If the newspaper is mailed postal rates are more variable than the Dow Jones Industrial Average! Even this past week the Postal Service reported the need to enact an emergency rate increase. That will spell the end to many publications. 

Unfortunately for most of us, that won’t stop junk mail. Serious publications, however, are the threatened specie.

In the case of our Village Chronicles newspaper (Warrenville, Illinois), we long ago moved to a bi-weekly production schedule to save costs and parse anemic ad revenues. Although we are a non-profit entity – both planned and unplanned non-profit! – our operation relies on free labor, writers, and other non-profit agencies. Problem is most non-profit organizations think their promotions and public communications ought to be free. So ad revenues for the local paper become even rarer.

The state of local newspapers is dire these days. None more so than the Village Chronicles. This week is scheduled for our 122^nd issue published over the past four years plus. We have a cash crisis. If a miracle does not happen, we won’t be able to print this week’s issue. Accounts receivable are slow to pay but our suppliers expect prompt payment, certainly the US Postal Service. And I don’t begrudge them a nickel. They deserve to get paid when service is performed. Same with the printer, as well as reimbursement of volunteers for expenses they have paid to the benefit of the paper.

Deserve. Merit. These are terms we use daily. In the case of volunteer newspapers which serve communities without a profit, those communities get what they merit, what they deserve. If they don’t help make good things happen, the worst will happen. It won’t be a bad thing. It will be a non-thing. Zilch. And that’s sad. For the community. Good people need to step up to make good things happen. The absence of this spells the obvious outcome. Then it is too late to lament.

Let’s hope the Village Chronicles skips only one issue. Else this could be the end of its five year run serving the community as best it could by the labors of 32 volunteers.

[NOTE: A miracle did not occur to save this week’s publication. An agreement was reached late last evening going forward. We will have sufficient funds to continue our bi-weekly publishing schedule.]

September 27, 2013