The Rome News-Tribune is among newspapers featured in nationwide project called “Who Needs Newspapers? A Report on the Status of Newspapers in the U.S.”

“Who Needs Newspapers?” is designed to “create a dynamic database, assembled on a website, which aims to tell the story of leading community newspapers throughout the United States, by highlighting one outstanding community newspaper in each of the 50 states.”

The Rome News-Tribune was selected to be the Georgia newspaper and that report is now on the website www.whoneedsnewspapers.org

Sara Brown and Paul Steinle of Valid Sources, the organization producing the project, came to Rome in the fall to videotape interviews with Rome News-Tribune Publisher Otis M. Raybon Jr., Editor Charlotte Atkins and New Media Director Jim Alred.

“Paul Steinle and I were impressed with the energy and commitment we saw at the News-Tribune,” said Brown. “The publisher is deeply involved in the community and busy developing new revenue streams. The editor is focused on compelling local news and the new media director has a passion for using emerging technology.”

“We’re honored to be included in this nationwide project that seeks to remind both the public and the industry of the vital roles that newspapers play,” said Atkins. “We have to evolve as technology changes the way we gather and distribute news, but having trained people who know and care about Greater Rome out covering what’s going on in our community remains paramount.”

Adds Raybon, “Our employees are responsible for producing the daily Rome News-Tribune that advertisers and readers have relied on for more than 168 years. That we were chosen to represent all Georgia newspapers in this project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of each of our employees.”

Valid Sources is a nonprofit organization formed to identify and promote excellent, ethically balanced journalism. Its mission is to identify models of excellence, to document these activities and to raise these profiles. The organization seeks to fulfill two goals: Elevate the public’s understanding of the value of ethically balanced journalism and inform the journalism community of best journalism practices.