Last month, The Jersey Journal, a 157-year-old newspaper that has covered Hudson County since before the Civil War, printed its final edition. It joins the growing list of local papers that have closed in recent years because of financial hardship, leaving communities without dedicated news sources. While national outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post continue to thrive, the loss of local newspapers is creating a void in journalism.

Local newspapers also serve as watchdogs for more specific issues that directly impact our daily lives. National newspapers must cast a wide net, covering stories that resonate with readers across the country. They can’t dedicate reporters to cover every town hall meeting or investigate why the construction of the new community center is behind schedule. But these are exactly the kinds of stories that impact people’s lives the most, and local newspapers meet their community’s need for them. When our Board of Education debates changes to the school curriculum or considers budget cuts, local reporters are there in the room, taking notes and asking tough questions. They translate complex policy decisions into clear, demystified information for the public to process.

Additionally, small-town culture is preserved through local news sources. Consider our own local community events such as the upcoming annual Christmas tree lighting in Palmer Square. While this event probably wouldn’t interest readers in California or Texas, it’s a cherished tradition in Princeton that brings community members together each year. You won’t find coverage of it in The New York Times, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful to the families who attend, the local musicians and artists who participate, or the small businesses that benefit from the increased foot traffic. It’s worthy of recognition, and that recognition is only likely to come from a local newspaper.

The closure of local newspapers creates what journalists call “news deserts” — communities without access to local reporting. Without reporters attending city council meetings or investigating local concerns, who will hold our local officials accountable? Who will tell the stories that matter most to our community?

As student journalists, we have an inside perspective on this issue. Because we focus primarily on school news, we’re learning firsthand the importance of local reporting. Every story we write about our school’s achievements, challenges, or changes reminds us that local journalism matters — not because it generates profit monetarily, but because it serves a community.

The loss of The Jersey Journal should serve as a wake- up call. Local newspapers might not always be financially profitable, but their value to community life is immeasurable. Supporting local journalism isn’t just about preserving jobs or tradition — it’s about ensuring that our community’s voice continues to be heard, its stories told, and its citizens informed about the issues that affect them most directly. That’s something worth protecting, even if it doesn’t show up on a balance sheet.