At the end of each week, we typically receive regular e-mails from Kentucky Press Association Executive Director David Thompson. These e-mails contain information on all kinds of things pertaining to newspapers across the Commonwealth, and are always interesting to look through.
Last week, Thompson’s weekly e-mail message contained a link to the Appalachia Funders Network’s recent “News Business in Appalachia” report. Trust me when I say there is A LOT of information in this report. It would take me a very long time to comb through the entire thing, which I plan to do eventually, but for now I’d like to highlight just a few points of interest.
In a section of the report titled “Circulation Trends in Eastern Kentucky Newspapers,” data from the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism shows that our region has over 130,000 paid newspaper subscribers. This includes print and digital subscriptions, or a combination of the two. Monetarily speaking, that equates to about $5 million in annual subscription revenues, showing that the newspaper industry is still alive and well in our neck of the woods.
The report showed that weekly newspapers in Eastern Kentucky average between 2,000-4,000 in paid readership. I am proud to say that the News Journal’s paid circulation continues to fluctuate between 4,000-5,000 per week. When you consider the fact that statistics show that a single copy of the newspaper will typically be read by at least 2-3 people, that is an actual readership of around 12,000 individuals each week.
This is a testament to the hard work of our talented and knowledgeable staff, all of whom care about putting out a high-quality newspaper product that is always hyper-focused on local events that matter to YOU, our neighbors in the community.
The report also made mention of the fact that almost all newspapers have websites and social media pages that they use to relay information on a regular basis. Because of this, the number of folks actually consuming news is much greater than what subscriber lists might indicate. This is why we try to utilize our strong digital presence to not only inform the public, but also to offer advertisers an option for expanded reach to potential customers. It’s an effective tool, and just one of many that we can offer those who choose to spend their advertising dollars with us.
Not all of the findings in the report were positive, unfortunately. While areas like ours are still fortunate enough to have viable options for local news coverage, the national trend is a little more troubling to consider. There are some very specific reasons for this, however, chiefly among them is the fact that many papers across the United States have gotten away from truly serving the communities that they claim to be from. When you see our tagline, “We’re all about where YOU live,” across the top of the front page every week, know that we are not simply giving lip service. All you have to do is pick up our paper and read the stories inside to see that we do not get away from Corbin, Williamsburg, or one of the immediately surrounding communities very often. Hardly ever, as a matter of fact.
There were also some findings about an overall lack of professional journalists currently living and working in rural areas of Appalachia. It’s true, there may be fewer trained journalists walking around our neighborhoods these days, but the good news is there are resources available to anyone wishing to get into this line of work.
Take our newest reporter, Leeann Fragosa, for example. Her background is in education, but she also has an interest in writing, reporting and photography. She has a lot of natural skills in these areas, thankfully, but to fill in some of the gaps we have her going through an online program offered by the Kentucky Press Association called “Earn Your Press Pass.” The program covers a wide range of topics related to working in the news business, serving as a crash course of sorts for those who might have missed out on any sort of formal training in the past. If you are a publisher or managing editor out there and think you could utilize a program like this in your office, I suggest you give it a look.
As I said, the “News Business in Appalachia” report is full of interesting and enlightening findings. I have only scratched the surface here, but I would like to commend those who were a part of this project. I’m sure your efforts are being put to good use by many.
Before I wrap up my column this week, I’d like to draw attention to the fact that, for the first time ever, a Bigfoot convention is scheduled to take place right here in our local area. That’s right. On Saturday, Sept. 6, the Southeastern Kentucky Bigfoot Conference will be happening at the London Community Center in downtown London.
Now, before you scoff at me for bringing this up, let me explain… I know that believing in Bigfoot is something that is likely to get you labeled as “crazy” by a large portion of the population. I think most Bigfoot enthusiasts would agree with that statement, but is it really such a stretch to believe that there is some kind of rare, yet-to-be-classified wild ape out there in the dense forests of North America? I mean, it was just weeks ago that an ancient shark species was discovered living right here in Kentucky at Mammoth Cave National Park. Don’t believe me? Look it up!
Now, consider for a moment the Daniel Boone National Forest. We’re all familiar with it, and many of us have spent time hiking, camping, hunting and/or fishing there. But it is massive, and I find it hard to believe that there aren’t at least a few spots where humans have never stepped foot before. Same goes for other forests throughout the country, including in the Pacific Northwest region, which is where Bigfoot creatures are thought to most likely inhabit.
Do I personally think that Bigfoot exists? I don’t know. Probably not. Do I think there could be SOMETHING out there that folks have been calling “Bigfoot” for centuries? It’s a long shot, but it’s certainly possible.
Either way, I am fascinated by the possibility of such a being actually existing in some shape, form, or fashion. I have read a couple of books on the topic, and am currently working my way through “Bluegrass Bigfoot: Encounters with the Kentucky Wildman” by Charles Raymond, who is scheduled to speak at the convention in London in a couple of weeks. I look forward to meeting him, as well as other special guests, and hearing what they have to say on this polarizing (and fascinating) topic.
If you believe in the legend of Bigfoot, or if you’re like me and just find it fun to consider the possibilities, then I encourage you to check out the Bigfoot Field Research Organization website at www.bfro.net. While there, click on the map of the United States to access a list of official reported sightings. You can navigate to Kentucky, and then to Whitley County, where you will find documentation of a father and son having a run-in with the so-called “Meadow Creek Monster” while on a hunting trip in the fall of 2010. Seriously, check it out. And when you’re done, head over to www.sekybigfoot.com to get more info on the Sept. 6 convention in London.
Do you believe???
