It seems like every day something crosses my desk which carries the message that the newspaper is a dying breed. And since the Western Recorder is a newspaper, does that mean that it will go the way of other newspapers, and as some suggest, one day be as outdated as film cameras, analog televisions and handwritten letters?

To take liberty with a Mark Twain quote, we believe the death of newspapers is greatly exaggerated. Newspapers, including this one, can still thrive—as long as the basic principles which led to a strong press are not forgotten and abandoned.

That means actively and purposefully informing readers of what is happening in our churches and Baptist life, having more names and photos than ever before, and find more ways to connect to the interests of readers. In essence, for the Western Recorder to remain strong, it must not give up its franchise. It provides coverage that no other newspaper now does, and by remaining faithful to that mission, it can prove the newspaper industry naysayers to be wrong.

You see, content is crucial. Many large newspapers struggle today because their content is old news by the time the paper is in the hands of its readers. They have seen similar material on television or on the Internet. That is where the Western Recorder has such an advantage—it provides unique content that should strike a chord with readers.

But we have to be realistic to the challenges of today’s world.

• Providing the best, most interesting content possible is a demanding task. For years now, the Western Recorder has done an excellent job of reporting on Kentucky Baptist life. But in the newspaper business, you never have too many sources or too many ideas. That is where the readership and your involvement comes in. There are many stories worthy of being told, but they are never brought to public life because the information is not shared. If you have an idea or information for a possible story, pass that along to the Western Recorder staff. That does not mean every suggestion can develop into a story, but at least give the staff an opportunity to consider it.
  
  
• Like the secular press, the Western Recorder will struggle to keep younger readers. That means there must be a concerted effort to include stories which appeal to that generation. There is no doubt that will continue to be the goal of the Western Recorder; the difficulty arises in figuring out just what that content is.
  
  
• Growing readership is a challenge every newspaper faces. One way the Western Recorder can meet this challenge is by more particiaption in the church newsletter program. That enables a church to include their newsletter on the back page of the Western Recorder. A dual purpose is served—members are informed of the activities and events of their church, but they also get access to information on what is happening in other churches.

We are more convinced than ever that the Western Recorder is vital to the health of Kentucky Baptists. Its statewide voice of affirming biblical principles is vital when you consider the battle that is being waged in society today—the attack on the unborn has reached unprecedented heights, there are more homosexuals portrayed on television than ever before, and with each passing day there are more concerted efforts to remove the Christian influence from our world. It would indeed be a shame if the Western Recorder’s voice ever passed from the scene.

Chip Hutcheson is publisher of the Princeton Times Leader and a member of Southside Baptist Church in Princeton