Always: Embracing local journalism
National Newspaper Week wrapped up Saturday with, no doubt, a typical end-of-week collective sigh by those of us working a beat.
Our numbers have dwindled — an 80% decline from 800,000-plus newsroom jobs in 1990 to around 86,000 in mid-2025, according to ReportEarth — but still, papers not only continue to be published but websites are now “populated” with news as its happens.
The job may sometimes remind those of us still standing of the curse “may you live in interesting times,” but mostly — almost always, in fact- markers like National Newspaper Week remind us of why we chose the profession and why we stay.
The theme of National Newspaper Week 2025 was “Embracing Local Journalism for a Better Future.”
“Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities,” the event website states. “It brings stories to light that national outlets often overlook-stories about school board decisions, city council debates, neighborhood events, and local heroes. In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, reconnecting with local news is vital for civic engagement, accountability, and community resilience.”
Here at the Breeze Newspapers, we not only agree, we embrace the philosophy that local news matters — matters to our community, matters to those of us who live and work here.
Local journalism — community journalism — is not only the focus, it is the mission of the Breeze Newspapers: We strive “To be the primary provider of news and information to the communities we serve.”
What is community journalism?
It’s today’s Eagle:
The “big stories” of a report on the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting; another Celebrating Pine Islanders, this week featuring Mary Lou Martin; Lee County School Board news; and the passing of Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell.
It’s The Breeze/Eagle Athletes of the Week; the Greater Pine Island Elks, Beacon of Hope and Pine Island Garden Club announcements; St. James City Civic Association news; weekly bridge results; and much more.
Community journalism is more than news and features, though — local newspapers offer both a voice and a vehicle for the public.
It’s letters to the editor, guest columns from officials and organizations and yes, editorials on subjects of public interest.
Community journalism is, at its best, a reflection of the community it serves and we are proud to have served as Pine Island’s newspaper of record.
We invite you to share your news with your hometown paper.
News releases, story suggestions, letters to the editor and comments to our publisher and news team are always welcome at news@breezenewspapers.com.
We thank you for reading.
Ray Eckenrode, publisher
Valarie Harring, executive editor
Paulette LeBlanc, editor