If I had to summarize local journalism in one sentence, this would be it: We put people in the paper. (Or in our case, on the website.)
That may sound simplistic, even surprising. Isn’t journalism all about digging for truth? Holding power to account? Shining a spotlight on important, sometimes uncomfortable issues that deserve our immediate attention? Absolutely — and at Village Media, we do that crucial work everyday in cities all across the province.
But in our constant pursuit of the next breaking story, we never forget the angle that matters most: people.
As a proudly independent local news company, our primary mission is to strengthen and connect our community — and be a reflection of it. So every time we tell a person’s unique story, every time we feature a new name and face on our hometown website, we reinforce that sense of community a little bit more.
To me, that is the magic of local journalism. It reminds us, one headline at a time, that we share things in common. That we are in this together. That we all belong.
Launched this week, PelhamToday is exactly that: a place where everyone belongs. Free of charge and easy to navigate, our digital-first content is available to anyone looking for hyperlocal news coverage that is trusted, accurate and up-to-the-minute. In a world so chaotic, so full of spin and misinformation, the stories we tell in our own neighbourhoods have never been more essential.
Research has shown, again and again, that vibrant local journalism has a positive impact on our day-to-day lives. Municipal councils are more transparent, voter turnout is higher, corruption has fewer places to hide, and facts have a fighting chance. Simply put, a local news outlet like ours is a beacon, a place to turn when you need to know what’s really going on: the good, the bad, and everything in between.
PelhamToday is a milestone for Village Media: our 20th owned-and-operated local news website in Ontario — and the third in Niagara Region, joining ThoroldToday and Niagara-on-the-Lake Local.
The website you're reading is also the continuation of something extremely special: the fantastic local journalism that filled The Voice, the local weekly newspaper that printed its final edition in December. Led by Editor Dave Burket, PelhamToday features the same team of reporters and columnists you relied on in the pages of your newspaper.
The only real difference is the pace. You can now read the latest Pelham news throughout the day, not just once a week.
I hope you like what you've seen so far. There is plenty more to come.
More breaking news. More in-depth features. More investigative journalism. More tough questions that need to be asked.
And of course, more “people in the paper.”
Michael Friscolanti is Editor-In-Chief of Village Media. Have a news tip? Drop us a line at [email protected]. If you would like to sign up for our free daily newsletter, please click here.
