Press Forward Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Media Partnership have teamed up to launch a regional public awareness campaign highlighting the strength and collaboration of more than 40 news organizations across southwestern Pennsylvania, including The Beaver County Times.
The campaign – “40+ newsrooms. At Work. Every Day. For You.” – was created by Fifth Influence, a Pittsburgh digital-first advertising agency. It debuted March 2 and will run through May on paid social media, streaming audio and YouTube in the area and on PMP social platforms.
The Beaver County Times is a member of the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.
“Local news sources such as The Times play an important part in the community,” Times editor Patrick O’Shea said. “Without these organizations, there are few restraints on the actions of local leaders and public spending.
“These media outlets are also just about the only place you will find out what interesting things – good and bad – are going on with your neighbors,” he added. “And with a legacy institution like The Times, you know every effort has been made to verify the information and ignore inaccurate rumors.”
Press Forward is a national coalition designed to strengthen communities by supporting local news and information. Press Forward Southwestern Pennsylvania convenes regional funders and stakeholders to support local news that values collaboration, connection and community across 10 counties in the region.
“Press Forward and the Pittsburgh Media Partnership make southwestern Pennsylvania better connected and more resilient to changes in our local news ecosystem,” said Andrew Conte, Ph.D., director of the Center for Media Innovation, which administers the Press Forward Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter. Conte explained that by working together, including on this awareness campaign, foundations and newsrooms are making the case that Pittsburgh is not a news desert, but one with a strong, local news ecosystem.
“The Pittsburgh Media Partnership strives to strengthen the local news ecosystem in our region,” said Jim Busis, co-chair of the PMP and CEO & publisher of Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.
“The announced closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the closure of Pittsburgh City Paper have sharpened everyone’s awareness of the crisis here in our region,” he added.
“At a moment when some are questioning the future of local journalism in Pittsburgh, this campaign makes something clear: the region’s news ecosystem is active, collaborative, and deeply committed to the communities it serves,” said George Potts, president and founder of Fifth Influence.
Busis added, “The PMP hopes that our partnership with Press Forward to educate the public on the need for and the availability of quality local news will be a first step in strengthening the connection between local readers and news outlets.”
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pittsburgh region local news groups touted, including The Times