About Between Community News

Between Community News is a local news outlet serving the community of Between, Georgia. It provides residents with information about local events, weather forecasts, alerts, and breaking news specific to the Between area1.The news service was launched on July 25, 2021, with the goal of building a viable news forum for the Between community5. This initiative aims to fill a crucial gap in local news coverage, as many small towns and rural areas have experienced a decline in local journalism in recent years.

Importance of Local News

The launch of Between Community News aligns with a broader trend of communities seeking to maintain access to local information:

• Local news plays a vital role in keeping residents informed about government, politics, and community events.
• About 73% of Americans report getting local news from friends, family, and neighbors, highlighting the importance of community-based information sharing3.
• Local newspapers have historically been described as watchdogs that hold civic institutions accountable and provide a "check upon government"4.

Challenges Facing Local News

While the creation of Between Community News is a positive development, it's important to note the challenges facing local news outlets across the United States:

• More than one in five newspapers has closed over the past 15 years, leaving many communities at risk of becoming "news deserts"4.
• Half of the counties in the U.S. now have only one newspaper, usually a small weekly, attempting to cover various communities4.
• The loss of local news sources can have significant implications for community engagement and democratic participation.

The establishment of Between Community News represents an effort to counter this trend and ensure that the residents of Between, Georgia, have access to relevant local information and news coverage.