Don’t think we didn’t know in advance that messing with your newspaper wouldn’t get you excited and upset. We changed our typefaces and style sheets and moved things around a bit.
We shuffled our news content between our internet-based website feeds and a slimmer weekly newsprint version. Our reward was lots and lots of “fan mail.” Apparently many of you missed our announcement in the Dec. 29 newspaper. In hindsight, maybe we were too busy making changes to fully explain all the whys, why nots and what’s next for this newspaper.
Please allow us to catch up.
First, we are not changing or decreasing our mission to provide as much local news as physically and financially possible. The Windsor Times will continue to be an independent and indispensable community resource dedicated to accuracy, fair-mindedness and civic engagement. As we said in our Dec. 29 message, only the tools and methods of delivery are changing.
Second, we are not abandoning our print version even as we launch a new and improved website to serve our growing audience of digital-only readers. We pledge to print as many copies and pages of local news as our subscriber list and bank account will allow.
Third — and most important — we are no longer in denial that last year’s business model will keep this newspaper alive. We need all our readers, advertisers and community members to know this, too.
This immense challenge is not unique here. Newspapers of all sizes, from the New York Times and Washington Post to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat also face an uncertain future. To deny that any longer is a path to a quick death.
But the outlook of The Windsor Times is not all gloomy. We know this because of all the passionate and concerned readers we have heard from. We realize wherever you find lots of active citizens, locally owned businesses, multi-generational families, good schools and open government you will also find a newspaper like The Times.
Right now, we need more reader feedback and support. Join our news conversation. We read printed letters, emails, website comments and we’re on Facebook. We are also planning a few focus groups in case you are interested.
In a world where a cup of coffee can cost $3, newspapers and journalists everywhere must now claim their true worth and value. Economically speaking, there is no such thing as a free press. Real news costs real money.
As beloved, begrudged or cussed as this newspaper may be, it needs a new economic reality. That makes us no different from many other local businesses also facing upheaval from Amazon, Airbnb, Uber, Facebook or robots. Face it, pretty soon we might all own cars that drive themselves. Who knows what other upheaval awaits us. Maybe we can invent newspapers that read themselves or input the news directly into our brains while we sleep. Who knew we would all be using our phones instead of cameras to take photographs?
All we know is the news moves too fast to only be printed once a week. More and more readers want their news delivered over the internet to their smart phone or computer, even as many of you are set in your weekly ink and paper rituals. We’re trying to offer both.
We are continuing to offer a single annual subscription (currently $50) which includes full access to our website, plus a home delivered print copy. This print-digital package will soon include an all-new website, launching this month. Besides extra local news, it will support many new advertising features for local businesses.
All this makes for very exciting times for newspaper publishers. We know the only way we will get this right is with the support of a growing and more engaged readership. That’s one thing about newspapers that will not be changing.
— Rollie Atkinson
If you would like to take part in a conversation about the changes at The Windsor Times, please let us know by filling out this short form. We’ll let you know when we schedule this one-time discussion group: https://www.sonomawest.com/site/forms/online_services/photo_request/focus_group/
