Understand SC

What happens when local newspapers stop printing

Episode Summary

What does a community lose when it loses its newspaper? This week, reporters Jennifer Berry Hawes and Stephen Hobbs explain what they found in trying to answer that question. They took a close look at two communities — one that still has a locally-owned paper in print and one that recently lost its newspaper

Episode Notes

Across South Carolina, 10 local newspapers stopped printing last year — a record loss, at least in recent memory. 

What does a community lose when it loses its newspaper?

This week, reporters Jennifer Berry Hawes and Stephen Hobbs explain what they found in trying to answer that question.

They took a close look at two communities — one that still has a locally-owned paper in print and one that recently lost its newspaper — and talked to residents about the difference having, or missing, local coverage of their community can make.

You'll also hear from the editors of two local South Carolina papers. 

Graham Williams, editor of the Union County News explained what it takes to publish a weekly paper with a two-person team. 

And Jonathan Vickery explains how and why he took over ownership of the his hometown paper, the People-Sentinel in Barnwell, and shares his love for "refrigerator journalism."

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