EDITORIAL: A SAD DAY FOR SAN DIEGO -- HELP SAVE LOCAL JOURNALISM

By Miriam Raftery

July 10,2023 (San Diego) -- Today is a sad day for journalism in San Diego. The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper has been sold to Media News Group, which is owned by Alden Global Capital. Employees have been notified via email of the sale.

The new corporate owner has a reputation for “evisceration” of  U.S. newspapers,according to  NPR.  Alden is a “vulture” capital company known for gutting newsrooms, laying off journalists and even closing some newspapers, the Atlantic reports. They also ended reader comments at all of their newspapers, which include many Southern California publications.

This is troubling for our region, particularly East County communities that already lack adequate coverage in San Diego County's largest newspaper.  It’s also bad for democracy, with no robust discussion of issues and the focus on profits, not in-depth news such as investigative reporting,

Now, the need to maintain and expand -- not cut -- our coverage at East County Magazine is critical.  But we've struggled to keep up with our reader's requests for news coverage amid rising costs-- and we urgently need your help.

Will you please make a generous donation at www.eastcountymedia.org/donate and consider becoming a sustaining monthly donor? 

Without more readers committed to saving local journalism, there could someday be no news outlets left to cover news that matters in many local communities nor even important countywide news.

We thank you for your past support, and deeply appreciate your help to make sure that community journalism stays alive and thrives in our region.

Miriam Raftery,  Editor and Founder

www.EastCountyMagazine and the East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts