Support local journalists and local newspapers

Members of the panel hosted by Ojai Valley News publisher and the Ojai Valley News Foundation's Executive Director, Laura Rearwin-Ward (far left) following the screening of Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink at the Ojai Valley Playhouse on January 18th, 2025.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural fundraiser for the new Ojai Valley News Foundation (https://OVNF.org). The event, held at the beautifully renovated Ojai Playhouse, featured a screening of the compelling documentary Stripped for Parts. For a Saturday morning, the event drew an impressive crowd, demonstrating the strong local interest in preserving and supporting independent journalism.

The Ojai Valley News Foundation, a federally recognized nonprofit organization, has outlined an admirable mission: “to support Ventura County-owned, adjudicated, independent newspapers by expanding reporting coverage, promoting local media literacy and access, preserving newspaper history, and fostering professional relationships within the local independent news community.”

At the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County, we deeply respect and value their efforts. We were proud to join many others in contributing to their important cause. Supporting Ventura County’s remaining locally owned independent newspapers is critical for maintaining a diverse and independent media landscape.

That said, our community’s information ecosystem extends beyond newspapers. In an era where traditional media outlets have experienced dramatic cutbacks and consolidation—from the VC Star to the VC Reporter and The Acorn—many innovative voices have emerged to fill the void. Podcasts, newsletters, and digital platforms like Substack and Zines now play an essential role in informing our community. These platforms represent a new wave of journalism, one that is decentralized, diverse, and increasingly audience-driven.

At the FAFVC, our mission is to champion journalism in all its forms—not just to preserve existing institutions, but to inspire and support the next generation of storytellers and truth-seekers. While newspapers are vital pillars of our local media landscape, we believe the future of journalism lies in empowering people to seek, tell, and share stories in ways that resonate with modern audiences.

Journalists are, after all, the lifeblood of any community’s information network. They gather facts, analyze data, and give voice to the events and issues that shape our daily lives. Our role is to support not only the institutions that publish journalism but also the people who dedicate themselves to this essential work, whether they work for newspapers, digital platforms, or independent projects.

We are stronger as a community when we work together. Although the OVNF and FAFVC have different emphases, we share a common goal: ensuring that the people of Ventura County have access to the accurate, timely, and diverse information they need to thrive. We look forward to collaborating with the OVNF and others to make this vision a reality.

Click here to go to the Ojai Valley News Foundation's donation page.

Click here to go to the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura's donation page.

Thank you for your support!