The “Daily Miracle” of the Newspapers | Opinion

Granted, The Bradford Era doesn’t actually print for Sunday, but local, state, national and global news and sports coverage is uploaded to the website, bradfordera.com, weekends too. While most people are still enjoying their weekends, many of us at the newspaper are back on Sunday, working a full day or night to bring out the first issue of the new week for you on Monday.

This process of telling the stories of our communities begins during the working hours that most of us share, but it continues late into the night and then into the morning. In some cases, a daily newspaper delivery is not complete while others are already working on the NEXT day’s edition.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic and all the hardships it has brought to businesses wherever we’ve been successful in serving our readers and communities.

Publishing a newspaper is a 24 hour process, and due to certain challenges that many readers may be aware of – and some that you may not have thought of – the term “daily miracle” may take -be an even deeper meaning. .

Journalists hesitate to draw attention to themselves, but there are times when we take the opportunity to highlight the contribution we think we are making. National Newspaper Week, which runs until Saturday, is certainly one of those times.

Here are some facts gathered by the Pennsylvania News Media Association:

• In 2020, the economic impact of the Pennsylvania newspaper industry statewide was $ 1.3 billion.

• Print and digital newspaper readership across the Commonwealth is strong, with a reach of over 7 million readers in print. Many newspaper websites statewide average several million pageviews each year.

• Consumer trust in print newspapers (67%) is more than double the trust in social media (33%). What’s more, recent surveys show that American adults have increased their time with the media during the pandemic.

• The newspapers support a combined total of 9,862 full-time and part-time jobs in Pennsylvania.

• In 2020, the combined impact of charitable giving and volunteerism from the Pennsylvania newspaper industry totaled $ 6.4 million, adding to the annual economic impact of $ 1.3 billion. dollars.

• Newspapers are often shared with others, passed on to someone else. In Pennsylvania, the average newspaper reaches 2.1 readers per copy.

• Newspapers are rated as the best medium to operate ethically and have the best interests of the public in mind.

Despite many changes over the years, one constant remains: The people of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter counties continue to receive important information from The Era.

This constant is made possible by journalists and editors in the newsroom, but also by staff in the broadcasting and business office, from the customer service counter to the publisher’s office. This is made possible by our advertising reps and graphics staff who so skillfully put together display ads and special pages.

News pages are sent to printers, mailroom staff, and delivery drivers – these people are part of the process that happens when most of us are asleep or just getting ready to start a new day.

But there is another group that plays a vital role in the day-to-day process of a community newspaper like The Era: you the readers and the advertisers who support us. You rely on and trust us to keep you up to date with events and news while getting your messages out about your community activities and business efforts.

Without a dedicated team for The Era, the newspaper doesn’t come out every day, but without our readers and advertisers there would be no reason to.

National Newspaper Week is an opportunity to recognize the importance of community journalism, as we recognize and appreciate the support you give us throughout the year.