By: Thomas Palmer, 1812Blockhouse Owner/Publisher
For the last several months, we have been connected here at 1812Blockhouse with the pacesetting association for independent online news sites across the country, LION Publishers.
It can be great stuff, being part of a team. Joining others with similar interests can provide opportunities to share enthusiasm, best practices, and advice. We have learned much and made new connections, with our Associated Press Report for America coverage being one component of that.
As this sector of the media world grows, LION has chosen to update its membership criteria, and asked each local publication involved to re-apply for membership. We are happy to share that we have been approved to continue our affiliation.
It was natural for us to want to join and continue with the country’s only association of publishers of local, independent, online news sites (hence the name). From the outset, we have been fiercely local, and like other LION members we work to find new and better ways to connect our readers with information they need. We also know of the strong reputations and success of many LION members and know that there are things we can learn from the best.
LION Publishers (website here) is successfully creating the future of local news through locally owned and operated news organizations that directly serve their communities. Other Ohio member outlets are located in Marietta, Akron, Columbus, and here in Mansfield — our friends at Richland Source.
In fact, Mansfield is one of very few markets nationally with two LION publications.
1808Blockhouse was launched in 2016 as a place where Richland Countians could access as much local news as possible that they would find informative and enjoyable. We have added numerous series over the last four and a half years focusing on the county’s history, the arts, and other areas. We have also broken important “hard news” stories that we felt our readers would find interesting.
We’re always open to your input and suggestions and, of course, news and press releases.
Thank you, as always, for being an 1812Blockhouse reader.
