I’m Larry Phillips, managing editor at Richland Source, Ashland Source and Knox Pages.
I edit content arriving from all over Ohio and focused especially on our region. My duties include assigning stories, scheduling reporters, managing the staff and distributing that news across all three sites in Source Media Properties.
For 25 years I worked at a north central Ohio legacy media company, so I understand the day-to-day expectations of readers in our region, as well as the financial landscape of journalism, its past and where it’s headed.
Frankly, the financial model of print media is broken, that’s no secret. But at Source Media Properties, we’re investigating new approaches to funding local journalism. One of them is through letters just like this one, seeking your support.
Most everyone understands the value of local news gathering, from city council meetings to school events to Friday night football games. Keeping our readers abreast with the happenings in their respective communities is our charge — one we take seriously.
People want to know local government, schools and elected officials are being held accountable, closely watched, and behaving responsibly. Our readers expect timely information on those issues that directly impact them, from their local school board to their children’s participation in a local parade.
However, this is a full-time responsibility, and it takes trained individuals to carry out that mission in an efficient, accurate manner. In turn, that task incurs an expense.
If you’ve ever read a county government story or an education feature or a history piece from any of our sites, know that a local person put the time, skill and effort into working that copy. Another individual edited and posted it, making the information instantly available to you on one of our platforms, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
That operation comes at a cost.
Our news operation has won a myriad of national awards and accolades, certifying our sites as trusted local media outlets. We hope you find that information of value, too.
If so, here’s where you, our reader, come into the picture.
If you find our service valuable, or know someone else that would, we are seeking your support.
To become a member, visit SourceMembers.com and use my code Larry21 for 20 percent off.
In many places across the country, news deserts have formed where local journalism is no longer practiced. Some places have a single individual dedicated to this gravely important task.
We are determined not to let that happen here. Our goal is to maintain a consistent, trustworthy, professional approach to bring you local news in an accurate, timely and efficient manner.
If you value that service, we ask for your support.
Thanks for your attention, and we hope to continue serving you and the community for years to come.
