Commentary: Why Local Journalism Matters

Our recent story about Filipinos in Hawai‘i generated an outpouring of gratitude and pride. It’s one example of how communities benefit from on-the-ground reporting.

In the March print issue and online starting Feb. 21, Hawaii Business Magazine published a story by staff writer Chavonnie Ramos highlighting the struggles, achievements and goals of 10 local Filipinos. Although Filipinos now make up the second largest ethnic group in the Islands, they continue to be underrepresented in higher education and many professional fields.

In her thoughtful and inspirational article, Ramos, who is a proud Filipina, tells the stories of people who have broken down barriers to achieve more visibility, more opportunities and more success for themselves and their community. She digs into the history and trends of Hawai‘i’s Filipino population, too.

Within hours of her story being published online, Ramos was inundated with emails from readers. Many expressed gratitude for her story, saying it encouraged them to reflect on the progress Filipinos have made and that it gave them optimism for their community’s future.

Su Lazo, director of the Filipino Community Center and president of JCI Hawaii, gave us permission to share some of her emailed comments: “Mahalo for writing the article and more importantly, adding another reason for Filipinos to feel proud of their heritage, feel less alone in their struggles, and see what’s possible for them here at home.”

A National Crisis

Ramos’ article and the response to it illustrate another reason why journalism matters – especially local journalism.

You’ve probably heard about the layoffs that have plagued American journalism. They’re nothing new as print, digital and broadcast organizations continue to struggle financially, but in January alone over 500 journalists lost their jobs, according to the job market consulting firm of Challenger, Gray and Christmas. In all of 2023, the news industry lost nearly 2,700 jobs, the firm said.

Another report, this one specifically focused on newspapers, highlights another grim statistic: The U.S. lost an average of 2.5 newspapers per week in 2023, according to Northwestern University’s Medill School for Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications.

The local media landscape looks dire, too. At press time, the corporate owner of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and its papers on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island was undergoing a court-supervised restructuring and preparing to sell. Their staffs have shrunk dramatically in recent years and all publish much fewer of their own stories than a decade ago.

The Maui News, which is owned by a different corporation, was for sale, too. And you probably noticed that the print editions of Hawaii Business and its sister publications have also gotten smaller.

Journalism Needs Community Support

While the future of the journalism industry looks exceedingly uncertain, a future without journalism is even grimmer. Local communities suffer when on-the-ground reporters disappear and there’s no one to hold politicians and decision-makers accountable. And because the society we live in is experiencing increasing inequality and polarization, the misinformation and disinformation that rapidly spread on social media often reinforce divisions and longstanding prejudices.

Local communities need reporting that is diligently researched, gives community members the nuanced information they need to make informed decisions, and accurately, respectfully and fairly includes marginalized and underrepresented voices. Journalism has the power to help increase understanding of different perspectives and opinions, dismantle stereotypes and stigmas, and encourage constructive, rather than combative, dialogues.

There are some bright spots in the journalism industry, like new nonprofit journalism organizations that have popped up around the country. But being a nonprofit is not a panacea. Regardless of its business model, journalism needs community support to survive.

Community support must go beyond wishes and prayers. If you believe in the importance of journalism, invest money in it through subscriptions, advertising, donations or other means. If local journalism disappears, Hawai‘i and its people will suffer.