Changing Times
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) - NewspressNow and KQTV have formed a new partnership to strengthen the news and information we provide to the St. Joseph region. This shared service agreement combines the resources of both operations, allowing us to deliver more complete and comprehensive coverage of our area.
At the same time, the St. Joseph News-Press will continue to operate independently in its print and digital forms. Our newspaper staff remains dedicated to bringing you strictly local information that’s best presented through those formats.
The changing media landscape—driven largely by Big Tech and the rise of the internet—has forced all of us to adapt. Many people now get their news from platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. Unfortunately, these sites are often filled with rumors and unverified information. Protected under federal law (Section 230), they face little accountability for falsehoods or misleading claims.
You may see headlines from trusted local outlets like NewspressNow or KQTV circulating on those same sites. Those stories originate from our reporters, who are held to standards of accuracy and fairness, and whose work is subject to libel and slander laws. Yet when their work is shared online, that reliable information is often used without credit or compensation.
This transformation has contributed to the spread of “news deserts” across the country—communities left without local newspapers. The number of newspapers in the United States has dropped from 7,325 in 2005 to just 4,490 today, according to the Medill State of Local News report. Many communities without local journalism have suffered from a lack of accountability, transparency, and civic engagement.
Our partnership aims to counter that trend by reinforcing local media—whether you read it in print, watch it on air, or consume it digitally. We will continue to shine a light on community events, hold governing bodies accountable, and support local businesses through effective advertising.
Together, we can make Northwest Missouri, Northeast Kansas, and Southeast Nebraska even better places to live. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on how we can continue to serve you better.
