Tonight: Public Meeting To Discuss Launching New Newspaper In Newton

NEWTON, MA — The Newton News Foundation, Inc., a recently formed nonprofit corporation, will hold a community meeting to discuss the establishment of The Newton Beacon, a non-profit weekly digital newspaper, on Thursday, June 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Durant-Kenrick House, located at 286 Waverley Avenue.

According to its organizers, The Newton Beacon will provide fair, factual, professional reporting and analysis of issues affecting Newton, including its government, businesses, institutions, and people.

"The impetus for the creation of The Newton Beacon is the decline of local news,” The Newton News Foundation said in a news release. "It has been years since Newton has had real local news coverage. Numerous studies have shown that the decline of local news is linked to lower voter participation, a corrosion of fact-based decision making and a weakening of government accountability."

The Newton Beacon will be governed by an independent board of directors who will represent
a diverse cross section of the city. The board will have fiduciary and operational responsibilities, but decisions about the coverage and content will be the sole responsibility of the paid, professional journalists.

The current board membership includes Newton residents Matt Hills, Joe Hunter, Allison
Kessler, Rhanna Kidwell, Anne Larner, and Alan Schlesinger.

At the community meeting, members of the board will introduce the new newspaper and discuss the rationale for its creation and the timeline of events that will lead to the launch. The discussion will include information on opportunities to become involved in the effort.

For more information, email newtonbeaconinfo@gmail.com or visit newtonbeacon.org.