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SCOTTVILLE — A new locally based nonprofit organization has been formed to help ensure the long-term sustainability of local news in Mason and Oceana counties and surrounding communities.
Sable Points Media Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, will gather news and information for Mason County Press and Oceana County Press while working alongside Media Group 31, parent company of the two online news services.
“As the entire nation has seen a decrease in newspapers, rural communities face information deficits,” said Rob Alway, executive director of Sable Points Media. “But, local news is an essential component to maintaining a democracy. A free press is core to maintaining our freedoms and to having an informed population.”
Alway is also editor-in-chief and owner of Media Group 31, LLC.
Sable Points Media was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Press Forward Northern Michigan to support governmental and educational news coverage in Mason and Oceana counties.
In an effort to preserve and restore journalism, a movement is underway around the country to fund nonprofit news organizations through philanthropy.
“It is the goal of Sable Points Media to offset the increasing costs of running a media business,” said Vans Stevenson, a Sable Points Media director who is a former local journalist and recently retired vice president of government affairs for the Motion Picture Association.
“We are hoping to receive support for this new venture through a variety of philanthropic causes, including locals who understand the importance of keeping local journalism alive.”
Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are operated by Media Group 31 LLC. The online services are free to readers and are funded mostly through advertising.
“Advertising sales can be a challenge as businesses are presented with many options to market their businesses these days,” said Alway. “While we are very thankful for the businesses and individuals who support MCP and OCP, in order to grow we have had to find other ways to sustain this business model. The formation of a non-profit helps diversify financial support and helps guarantee that we can continue to report on local news topics.
Stevenson said partnering with MCP and OCP makes the most sense for sustainability.
“Mason and Oceana counties have seen a decline in the quality of published newspapers,” Stevenson said. “Mason County Press and Oceana County Press, in the meantime, have increased in readership in their 13 years of existence. But, in order to grow and provide even more services, community support is necessary. The non-profit model provides more opportunities while still offering a service that sells advertising as well.”
Sable Points Media is led by a board of directors consisting of Alway, Stevenson and filmmaker, writer and director Harold Cronk. Their goal is to eventually increase the organization’s board to assure sustainability.
In addition to developing news content, the organization will also focus on creating localized educational content.
Press Forward Northern Michigan is part of Press Forward, a nationwide movement working to strengthen local news so communities remain informed, connected and civically engaged. The Northern Michigan chapter was established in spring 2024 and is led by a host committee of regional leaders committed to advancing local journalism in rural communities throughout Northern Lower Michigan.
Press Forward Northern Michigan was created in response to growing news deserts and declining newsroom resources throughout the region. A 2023 Northern Michigan News Ecosystem survey documented the loss of editorial and reporting positions across more than 20 counties and highlighted the increasing challenges rural residents face accessing reliable local information.
Press Forward Northern Michigan said its mission is to “reinvigorate and reimagine local news” by sparking innovation, strengthening news and information providers and rebuilding public trust in local journalism. The organization focuses on supporting local newsrooms while also listening to the needs of both journalists and the communities they serve.
The initiative is built around four strategic pillars: supporting innovative news operations in underserved rural communities; conducting research on regional news ecosystems and audience needs; providing educational and networking opportunities for journalists and emerging media professionals; and increasing public awareness about the importance of strong local journalism to community vitality.
Since its formation, Press Forward Northern Michigan has supported additional research through the University of Michigan’s Ginsberg Center to better understand community access to local news. It also helped provide founding support for the Northern Michigan Journalism Project, a regional collaborative reporting effort led by Bridge Michigan and Interlochen Public Radio designed to build local journalism capacity across Northern Michigan.
The organization recently awarded a total of $50,000 to six local news organizations to support operations in rural communities, encourage innovation, build trust and expand access to local news and information. In addition to Sable Points Media, grant recipients included Boyne Citizen, Elk Rapids News, Glen Arbor Sun/Betsie Current, WUWU Community Radio and WCMU Public Media.
Press Forward Northern Michigan is hosted by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, which also accepts donations on behalf of the initiative.
Contributions may be made to Sable Points Media at PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. For questions, contact Alway at editor@mediagroup31.com or call 231-690-3216.
