Community newspapers have historically been at the heart of their communities. As a journalist once observed, they are often like the single-channel television news site or the lone internet connection available to the residents it served. Community newspapers are often considered the single social network connecting citizens. Community newspapers tell the stories that impact readers of all ages.
The Fort Frances Times has always strived to connect neighbours. District correspondents have frequently told the stories of children arriving home from post-secondary schools. Often those little stories were like a party line, where other returning people could connect with former friends.
The stories in a community newspaper are not often considered hard news, but they nonetheless have impact upon readers. The Honour Roll tells relatives and friends that youth are succeeding in academics just like the sports pages celebrate athletes who score goals or baskets or teams that dominate in competition. We hope that recognizing youth for their accomplishments will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment.
And community newspapers work to hold councils to their words to be good stewards of the tax dollars that are collected and to make good decisions on maintaining, building or upgrading community facilities, roads and sewers. Community newspapers seek to follow council budget processes because taxes impact everyone.
The Fort Frances Times has worked to improve the hospitals across the district by supporting fund raising efforts. Similarly, covering teas by social groups and church groups impacts programs that are delivered across the district. It is part of a community newspaper to lend a helping hand to residents. It may be a big celebration such as the Emo and District Fair that will celebrate its 126th anniversary this year, or the Rainy River Walleye Tournament or the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship. All of those community and district events build the community.
But the newspaper and its reporters can’t be at every function, 50th wedding anniversary or awards ceremony so we depend on others to provide stories to the newspaper because we know those celebrations of life beyond births and obituaries are important to our readers. Our reporters can’t travel out of town to attend every hockey tournament, swimming meet, volleyball tournament, but the newspaper does appreciate photos and stories from those events. We know the success of those athletes is important to families and readers who also couldn’t attend.
Community newspapers recognize that if they help new businesses to start and succeed, the newspaper too will succeed. And that is why stories are written on the opening of new businesses across the district, but oftentimes the newspaper needs to know in advance of the openings so that stories and photos can be taken and written.
A great community newspaper seeks to be enmeshed with in the community and the Fort Frances Times strives to do that every day, which is why it’s more important than ever for our readers to share their own news with us, whatever that may be.
From the Publisher’s Pen
Jim Cumming Former Publisher Fort Frances Times
