It’s about trust. Our relationship with our readers is built on transparency, honesty and integrity. As such, we have launched a trust initiative to tell you who we are and how and why we do what we do. This column is part of that project.
As 2023 begins, it's a good time to reflect on the important work our news team has accomplished.
Our Muskoka newsroom reported on hundreds of stories and issues in 2022, highlighting the good and bad as it unfolded across our communities. Our journalists have been there to report, analyze and provide context. That work has led to a more informed community because you, our readers, took the time to open your newspaper, follow our brands on social media, subscribe to our newsletters and click on a story on our websites.
While journalists don’t do this important work for the glory of an award, it is certainly an honour when their work is seen and valued. Provincially, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association BNC Awards gave Bracebridge reporter Mary Beth Hartill a coveted first place for her business story on the challenges faced by local restaurants. Court and crime reporter Kristyn Anthony also took first place for her coverage of Justin Evans' death and how his family still waits for answers. MuskokaRegion.com took a strong third place for our Thursdays at Noon initiative where we invited experts to have a virtual conversation with readers and our editor on many topics. Gravenhurst reporter Sarah Law received an honourable mention for her coverage on the veterinarian shortage.
The nationwide Canadian Community Newspaper Awards recognized MuskokaRegion.com for leading a Metroland deep dive we called Highway Pirates: Guns, Drugs and Human Trafficking in our own backyard. We were proud of our approach, talking to survivors to come up with solutions.
Over the past year, we launched Metroland Indigenous: Truth Through Storytelling, amplifying Indigenous voices and prioritizing local Indigenous conversations.
We launched a Metroland gives back program to help not-for-profits stretch their advertising dollars, and reach larger audiences across our network.
And we listened to our community advisory council. Thought leaders helped plant the seed for Our Changed World, a Metrolandwide special edition delivered to three million homes across Ontario.
As you flip the calendar to January 2023, please continue supporting your local community newspapers. We are forever grateful to our readers who support local journalism.
