As many of you know, the newspaper industry is facing unparalleled challenges in today’s digital world. Many communities have seen their local papers close or faced with reduced publishing frequency or page counts. While the financial woes of your local paper may not concern you, the reality is that the loss of journalists from communities like Bowen Island has real consequence.
Many communities across Canada no longer have any journalists attending municipal council meetings, public hearings, school board meetings and defining local events. This leaves a void in terms of holding local government and institutions to account. Without journalists, stories about the accomplishments of youth and volunteers, moments of sporting glory, perspectives of artists, among other things, never make it into the public record.
The Bowen Island Undercurrent strives to truly reflect the complex and fascinating community it serves. The paper has had the privilege of documenting life here for decades and we are making plans to do so for many years to come, but we need your support!
Today marks a very important day in The Undercurrent’s history. We are taking the bold step of providing a copy of this week’s paper to every mailing address on the Island. Over the years we have faced a shrinking base of subscribers, although our counter sales of the paper at local outlets continues to be strong.
With today’s initiative we hope to reintroduce many Islanders to their paper. We want to make sure that every resident of our great community has a chance to evaluate our community paper. Please take time to read our stories, see the pictures and support the advertisers. If you like what you see and read, then help insure the future viability of our paper by purchasing a subscription. We are offering a special rate to encourage you to step up and count yourself as someone who cares about the quality of life here on Bowen. Bring in a receipt from any advertisers business from today’s edition and we will reduce our yearly subscription rate from $45 to $33. Not only does this help insure the future of your community paper but also supports all those businesses that make this island so interesting and great.
Communities that have lost their local paper have lost an important local resource, don’t let Bowen Island be one of them. Call or stop by today and tell us you care by purchasing an annual subscription. Purchase one for someone else that may not have the means. Consider buying one for your children as they move off island to find work or pursue their education, keeping their connection to home alive and strong.
Peter Kvarnstrom, publisher
