What does it take for a local newspaper to survive and why does it matter? In this episode of Ink & Airwaves, we take listeners inside the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, the oldest continuously published newspaper in Illinois. We explore how the paper operates as both a community institution and a business that has to balance its public service with financial pressures from subscriptions and the paywall. The episode examines the Journal-Courier's mission and the legal protections that help the publication and also shape journalism in Illinois. We also zoom out to discuss larger challenges local news is facing nationwide, including news deserts, misinformation, and changing audiences. Through reporting and expert voices, this episode shows why local journalism remains essential to this country.
