From the Publisher
The decline of journalism—by which I mean people who are paid to find out the truth—is one of the tragedies of the 21st century. There is no single antidote, but Saving Community Journalism offers the beginnings of an answer for smaller news organizations. Abernathy's insights are particularly valuable because she is one of a rare breed that understands both business and journalism.—Alan Murray, CEO, FORTUNE Media
Saving Community Journalism abounds in timely ideas and practical advice for protecting—and expanding upon—the vital service we provide for readers, advertisers and our communities. Regardless of where they are in the never-ending evolution of our business, all publishers will find new insights.—Mary Junck, CEO of Lee Enterprises and Chair of the Associated Press
"Saving Community Journalism is a clear-eyed and invaluable exploration of what it will take for newspapers—the engines of community journalism—to not only survive, but thrive. Penny Abernathy wisely sees that it is the journalism that must be preserved, and her penetrating book shows how that can be done and still make a profit.—Alex S. Jones, author of Losing The News: The Future that Feeds Democracy
An excellent and timely book during this period of extreme change in media. The community newspaper has been an important core vehicle for ensuring democracy in America, yet the community newspaper has faced, and will continue to face rugged challenges to their very existence. Dozens of community newspapers have either disappeared or been absorbed by national papers (which themselves are under threat). Penny Abernathy, who has experience in virtually all journalistic forms, lays out a clear and compelling path forward for the owners and managers of community newspapers. Her recommendations will not be painless to follow, but they will be successful for those managements who can measure up. It is a vital book for our times and our democracy.—Richard N. Foster, Yale School of Management and author of Creative Destruction
This is a passionate, wise, and highly useful survival guide for community newspapers at a time of bewildering change. Penelope Muse Abernathy insists that community journalism is both essential and survivable. Her optimism and good advice are just what the field needs right now.—Nicholas Lemann, Professor of Journalism and former Dean, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The book tackles a timely, important topic with depth, originality, and new insights. It offers a systematic plan for how news organizations may move forward. It presents this plan in a way that is both conceptually grounded and suitable for practical application. Both scholars and journalism practitioners will welcome it.—Carl Sessions Stepp, University of Maryland
Saving Community Journalism is a pleasure to read and has the potential to have a significant impact on the choices made by the publishers and editors of community newspapers in the United States. The lessons and advice derived from the case studies are right on target and easy to absorb. This book is well written, covers an important topic, and has the potential to help community newspapers navigate their way in rapidly changing media markets. I hope that publishers and editors will absorb (and trust!) its insights.—James T. Hamilton, author of All the News That's Fit to Sell: How the Market Transforms Information into News
