Key facts
- The Chronicle of Glens Falls, N.Y., is a free weekly newspaper.
- The newspaper's owners are actively involved in all facets of its operation.
- This business model is succeeding despite a general decline in newspaper readership.
In a media landscape characterized by declining readership and financial struggles for many publications, The Chronicle of Glens Falls, N.Y., stands out as a success story. The free weekly newspaper has managed to retain and attract readers by having its owners deeply involved in every aspect of the operation. This hands-on approach, where owners handle all tasks, is presented as a 'man bites dog' scenario, highlighting the unusual nature of a newspaper thriving in the current environment. The concept of 'man bites dog' journalism, originating from figures like Alfred Harmsworth and John B. Bogart, emphasizes that rare and unusual events are more newsworthy than common occurrences. While the phrase typically refers to sensational or bizarre events, here it is used metaphorically to describe the rarity of a local newspaper's success in today's challenging market.