| "It’s your paper. We work for you.” | |
| Type | Monthly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Connecticut News Consortium |
| Founder(s) | Ralph Nader |
| Publisher | Andy Thibault |
| Editor | Douglas P. Clement |
| Founded | December 2022 |
| Headquarters | 7 Elm Street, Winsted, CT 06098 |
| Website | winstedcitizen |
The Winsted Citizen is a broadsheet newspaper published monthly in Winsted, Connecticut. It was founded with financial assistance from politician and Winsted resident Ralph Nader. The Winsted Citizen is overseen by the nonprofit Connecticut News Consortium. The paper printed its first issue in February 2023.
History
The creation of the publication was first reported on in late December 2022. Veteran journalist Andy Thibault would serve as the paper's editor and publisher while Ralph Nader, a native of Winsted, agreed to provide financial support for the first edition,[1] which amounted to $15,000.[2] Of that money $5,000 was to pay Thibault with the rest going toward the paper's production.[3] Thibault said future funding would come from advertising support and paid subscriptions from readers.[1]
Thibault and Nader made the official announcement of the new newspaper on Jan. 3, 2023, at the Greenwoods Country Club during a meeting of the Rotary Club of The Torrington and Winsted Areas.[1][4]
The inaugural issue was printed on Feb 3, 2023, with 1,000 copies distributed among local libraries and area residents.[5] The initial plan was to print a single pilot-issue and then continue as a weekly publication only if local support materialized.[6] It was reported Nader wanted the publication to be print-focus and to not publish content online. He recommended waiting up to two months to gauge community interest before committing to a second edition, but Thibault was adamant to not delay publishing additional issues.[3]
Following the first issue, Thibault said the new plan was to print additional issues monthly for the remainder of the year and then publish weekly starting in 2024.[5] A month later it was reported Nader failed to provide funding as initially promised for the paper's second edition. In an interview, Thibault said Nader had agreed to cover 75% of the cost, with the newspaper covering the rest. However, the money had not been delivered by the time of the second edition's printing. Instead, at that time Nader offered to give a $8,000 loan, which Thibault said the paper would not accept. In March 2023, the Winsted Citizen had about 150 subscribers.[7]
In another interview, Thibault said he budgeted about $30,000 for each monthly edition and moving forward would be making adjustments to keep the paper going. Thibault said he planned to abandon the publication's print-only focus and create a website with a paywall offering options for print or digital subscriptions.[3]
On Nov. 20, 2023, the Winsted Citizen's oversight board voted to close the newspaper after publishing nine issues. In a memo, Thibault wrote the paper could not overcome an “untenable deficit” and lost money every month published.[5] Two days later it was announced the paper had been sold to American Business Media LLC and will continue publishing. As a result of the sale, the paper will not lay off any employees and Thibault will stay on as a contributing editor.[8]
Content
In December 2022, Thibault and Nader announced the Winsted Citizen would focus on the Winsted and nearby Farmington Valley communities, including residents of Hartland, Riverton, Colebrook, Norfolk and New Hartford.[1] In addition to covering a wide range of topics like business, sports, and government, the paper would also incorporate more localized sections such as wedding announcements. Distribution hubs would include various local businesses, along with a home delivery system, with content also posting online to a website.[1]
Stories in the paper's first issue highlighted the increase in water rates, a food co-op in need of support, the possible purchase of a closed Methodist church and its redevelopment. There was also a roundup of all the local breweries along with natural attractions and outdoor activities in the nearby Berkshire Mountains. “Weekend in Norfolk” was another feature article in the inaugural edition, with news and information about art, music, theater and dining.[5] The paper listed 17 reporters on its early mastheads.[2]
The first issue also included a profile of a local basketball coach, an article on a project to paint a five-story mural in two abandoned mill buildings and a contribution from Hartford Courant editorial cartoonist Bob Englehart.[9]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Delsanto, Matteo (December 29, 2022). "Ralph Nader announces new local newspaper in Connecticut". WTNH. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- 1 2 Collins, Dave (2023-11-20). "After trying to buck trend, newspaper founded with Ralph Nader's help succumbs to financial woes". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- 1 2 3 Figueroa IV, Daniel (March 8, 2023). "'The paper is on a respirator': Winsted's new Ralph Nader-backed newspaper in financial peril after two issues, publisher says". The Trumbull Times. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ↑ Larson, Andrew (December 27, 2022). "'News vacuum': Nader launches The Winsted Citizen in his hometown | Hartford Business Journal". Hartford Business Journal. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Sillick, Bob (27 February 2023). "The Winsted Citizen: Ralph Nader's gift to his hometown". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ↑ Burns, Greg (2023-01-31). "Ralph Nader's Latest Targets: News Deserts". Local News Initiative. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ↑ Sillick, Bob (2023-03-06). "Winsted Citizen: Ralph Nader gets the press but leaves his 'gifted' newspaper in the lurch". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ↑ Putterman, Alex (2023-11-22). "Winsted Citizen newspaper purchased by national chain, won't shut down". CT Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ↑ Bauer, David (February 8, 2023). "A Connecticut town's local paper folded, so Ralph Nader started a new one". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-11-22.