OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa News Network is taking the show on the road.
Over the next few months, the countywide nonprofit news organization will conduct a listening tour around the county to hear from residents and share more information about ONN and its mission.
ONN's mission is to fill the void left by traditional media’s declining coverage of hyperlocal news.
ONN Board of Directors Chair Clay Stauffer said a stark decline in local news coverage highlighted the need for a nonprofit news model in Ottawa County.
“In the past 20 years local news coverage nationwide has become increasingly sparse as local newspapers wither,” Stauffer said. “By the end of this year, one-third of U.S. newspapers will have disappeared since 2005. In the past year alone, 127 newspapers have closed nationwide. Civic trust and engagement suffer when people know less and less about what’s going on locally. Even in areas with surviving newspapers local coverage has been reduced as newspapers struggle to survive."
Stauffer said that decline threatens the bedrock of how democracy is intended to function in the United States.
"Without timely, accurate information about city and country affairs residents have few ways to stay involved and engaged with their fellow community members. ONN is dedicated to reversing this trend here by reinvigorating local journalism to help area residents stay engaged with and informed about local government and their communities,” he said. “ONN is dedicated to the ethical, trustworthy journalism Ottawa County residents need to stay engaged and involved with their communities."
The listening tour will allow residents to provide input on what they would like to see in their local news coverage as well as the topics and issues they find most important.
Executive Editor Sarah Leach and ONN board members will be on hand to lead the discussion.
The first event will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at Loutit District Library in Grand Haven. A second event is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at Holland Museum.
Future events will continue throughout the first half of the year, Leach said.
“It’s so important for the people who ultimately consume the information media gives them to be able to provide feedback, suggestions, criticism and insight,” she said. “We’re here to serve you and you should absolutely have a seat at that table.”
To learn more, visit OttawaNewsNetwork.org, find them on Facebook or follow them on X and BluSky. For more information, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
