Journalism matters.
Those two words have been a recurring theme in columns I’ve written this past year as I've appealed to those who value local, independent reporting to support our efforts with a subscription. And people have responded.
The Enquirer is closing in on 30,000 digital subscriptions, adding roughly 4,000 to where we were a year ago. Our total digital audience, which includes non-subscribers, has grown significantly as well: Cincinnati.com averaged 4.7 million monthly visitors this year.
Growing our audience during an extremely challenging year is something I don’t take for granted. As our industry continues to evolve in the digital world, we are relying more than ever on subscribers to support our efforts to bring you the news and information that impacts your life. I want to sincerely thank those of you who made this investment in local journalism, whether you are a longtime, home-delivery customer or a new subscriber who uses our smartphone app.
This week, The Enquirer published a special report that was months in the making: Holding On. The multimedia project, which includes a 49-minute documentary, weaves together intimate, human-focused stories with the goal of helping us better understand the historic and life-changing events of 2020. From the project's introduction:
This year has made us rethink the concept of time. It’s as if we’ve lost days and hours and entire months, as if the year has held time stock-still. But in that time, we’ve grown, dreamed, adapted, suffered, built up, loved, cared, mourned, learned.
As Holding On came together, I was moved by the stories people shared. I found myself comforted by the feeling of being connected – a stark contrast to the isolation we experience from working from home, social distancing and other COVID-19 restrictions. And that brings us back to why journalism matters.
I recently asked my colleagues at The Enquirer to share their thoughts on the importance of local journalism. Many pointed to its power to bring us together.
“I think stories have the distinct ability to connect people to one another in a lasting way,” said Adam Baum, who covers Xavier basketball. “I believe journalism can remind us how much we have in common, but also how unique we are, and it’s important to document that.”
Meg Vogel, who co-produced the Holding On documentary, touched on the empathy fostered by in-depth storytelling.
“As a photojournalist, I illustrate complex issues to help our readers feel the struggles and triumphs of their neighbors," she said. “I believe journalism has the power to connect communities.”
During the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to Meg, Adam and other Enquirer staffers who have dedicated their careers to sharing those stories of struggles and triumph. They will talk about why they became journalists and offer a glimpse into what it’s like covering the news in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
My hope is that by getting to know us a little better – building a connection – you’ll be even more inclined to support the work we do. Please click here to see our latest subscription offers.
We’ve been your eyes and ears during the tumultuous year that has been 2020. Informing you. Asking the tough questions. Keeping you connected. Why? Because it's our calling.
And because it matters.
Get to know us:
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As always, I enjoy hearing your thoughts on how we can serve you better. I wish you a joyous holiday season and happiness in the new year.
Beryl Love is the executive editor of The Enquirer. Email him at [email protected]
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