BY THE EUDORA TIMES STAFF
The longer we cover Eudora, the more we believe in the importance of community journalism.
This week is the 80th annual National Newspaper Week to celebrate the critical role of newspapers in a democracy.
As we near two years of covering the Eudora community, the reporters of The Eudora Times discuss why #JournalismMatters to them.
City Hall and business reporter Lucie Krisman
The longer I cover Eudora, the more sure I am that every community should have a newspaper of its own.
Community journalism matters because what goes on the community matters, and having a central place to stay informed keeps members of the community connected.
I wholeheartedly believe everything has a story and that every story is important to someone. It's up to community newspapers to become familiar with the ins and outs of the community in order to find out what those stories are and report them.
Especially in times of uncertainty, every community deserves to have its questions answered.
Sports and religion reporter Chris Fortune
Community journalism matters because it is important for people to stay informed and understand what is happening around their neighborhood. Community journalism gives people in smaller cities and towns a voice and a chance to tell their stories.
There are times when people ask why national news is not covering certain stories. If the time is taken to watch local news and read local newspapers, they would realize that sometimes these stories are being covered locally with a focus on the community.
Community journalism matters because it can be life changing. It is amazing to see how many people are willing to help and come together when they learn of an issue in a community. Not many people realize that they are in a position to help others and sometimes all it takes to make a difference is someone getting the word out.
Editor and schools reporter Sydney Hoover
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are reminded of the important role a community newspaper plays.
Eudora lost a regular community newspaper about a decade and the thought of how many stories were missed during those years is overwhelming. Graduations, city expansions, new businesses, church events — Eudora is filled with news that deserves to be shared, it just needed someone to share it.
The support we’ve seen since our beginning has been immense. We frequently hear from residents we talk to for different stories about how much they appreciate the work we’re doing, and those encouraging words drive us to continue providing the coverage we do.
We hope our reach can keep growing throughout this town as we move forward into our third year working in Eudora.
In the last two years, we’ve learned so much from the Eudora community. We’ve learned how to search for stories and how to connect with community members. We’ve learned how much a community in need of a newspaper can quickly embrace journalists who come wanting to make a difference.
Most importantly, we’ve learned the impact a community newspaper can have. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen our readership grow along with our coverage.
We’ve mourned and we’ve celebrated with community members as the pandemic shifted our world more than we ever imagined. Through it all, we’ve been there looking for stories of perseverance and compassion to share in some of the darkest of times.
We hope we can continue receiving your support for many years to come. Happy National Newspaper Week, Eudora — we’re proud to serve you.
Reach the Eudora Times staff at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
To donate to support our community journalism, please go to this link: tinyurl.com/y4u7stxj
Thank you! Your dedication to providing our city with information is appreciated! I want to encourage our community to support you financially so The Eudora Times can continue to grow.