Jordan Green: Support the BJ-T; "Blackwell needs good journalism more than ever"

by Jordan Green

When a pandemic sweeps across the planet, where do you get information?

In the United States, we're fortunate to have a number of large-scale media outlets that keep us abreast of news abroad. They bring us critical facts and information about how pandemics like the coronavirus spread across the nation and the world, and they arm us with the knowledge we need to protect ourselves and our loved ones from sickness, financial loss, and even death.

At few points in history has a free and open press been more important than it is right now. And one of the places that media is needed the most is right here in your hometown.

While larger outlets talk about things going on around the globe, hometown newspapers like the Blackwell Journal-Tribune make the big headlines relevant to you. We show you how the numbers flashing across the TV screen affect your businesses and your family. We show you how the news around the world can disrupt even the most sacrosanct institutions in our country. Case in point: Local elections, which are being moved to protect people from the virus. (We're reporting on this!)

Local news is crucial to our society's success, and some of the most in-depth local news in Kay County comes from the Blackwell Journal-Tribune. We hold our leaders to account when they tell us what they're doing to combat the virus' spread. We show you how you can protect your health by washing your hands and keeping away from public places. We tell you about the things your community members are doing to stop person-to-person spread, like practicing social distancing.

We're talking a lot about the coronavirus, but we're not immune to it.

Like any other business, the Journal-Tribune is feeling the effects of the economic havoc the coronavirus wreaks. We reduced our page count from 10 to eight this week in order to reduce costs. It's something most every other business in this country is doing right now: Finding ways to reduce expenses.

But unlike any other business, we can't simply close down until the virus passes. We play a key role in keeping society informed and healthy. But in order to keep fulfilling this critical mission, we need support from you, our loyal readers and advertisers.

We've made our coverage of the virus free on our website and on our Facebook page. We view journalism on this topic as a public service. But we, too, have families to feed and bills to pay.

Friends, I'm coming to you today to ask for your continued support of our important work during this difficult economic crunch. I know money is tight for everyone: restaurants, stores, movie theaters, manufacturing companies, oilfield companies, you name it. Everyone is feeling the crunch. But without accurate information about how to stop the virus – and how we can keep it from continuing to damage our communities – it'll only get worse. Supporting local media is an investment in your community – in your health, your well-being, and your way of life.

When you go the store, buy a paper. Encourage your friends to do the same. Or purchase an online subscription, which costs less than a print subscription and gives you unlimited access to the work we produce no matter where you are. And if you're a business owner, please spare a few dollars and take out an ad. We'll build it for you for free.

The Journal-Tribune tells the story of Blackwell, and it relies on the support of this fair city to play the roles of government watchdog and community promoter. We bring this city together each day with valuable information and stories about the people who make Blackwell so great. Right now, we're relaying information about your health. That's of chief importance.

We love our work, but we need your help. Please, Friends, support the Journal-Tribune today. Blackwell needs good journalism now more than ever.