Owning a newspaper in today’s economy is not for the faint of heart. It’s certainly not a get-rich-quick scheme, especially if you’re still printing and delivering papers door-to-door and to stands throughout the community. Yet, despite the challenges, I decided to take the plunge with the Grants Pass Tribune. My reasons were numerous, and yes, one of them was to make a profit. But as of today, that hasn’t happened—and not for lack of effort or commitment. Instead, it’s been due in part to a vocal group within the community whose sole mission seems to be ensuring our failure.
We’ve been called “fake news.” I’ve had my own background dragged through the mud, with lies and half-truths spread around recklessly, seemingly for the amusement of those who thrive on division and hate. It’s been a personal attack as much as it’s been a professional one, and while it might dissuade others, it’s only strengthened my resolve.
Let me be clear: we didn’t launch the Grants Pass Tribune simply as a local paper. This is a beta test for something much larger—a bold step toward creating the next generation of news. But small-town politics and personal vendettas have threatened to derail that vision before it could even gain momentum. In a town like this, if you don’t “go along to get along,” you’re bound to face struggles most couldn’t imagine. And let’s face it, we haven’t exactly played by the unwritten rules of conformity. But here’s the cool thing about me: I don’t care.
I don’t care if people don’t like me. I don’t care if people talk behind my back or spread lies about me personally. What I do care about is when these actions affect my business. And make no mistake, the rumors and misinformation circulating about the Grants Pass Tribune have been spread with malicious intent, aimed at discrediting us before we even had the chance to prove ourselves. The goal, clearly, has been to see us fail. But here’s my message to those who have tried to undermine us: we’re not going anywhere.
If you thought you could intimidate us into silence, think again. You’ve poked the wrong bear. A year ago, I said the gloves were off, and I meant it. The gloves are still off. The difference between us and those who think they can bully us into submission is simple: we’ve been through worse. We’ve endured hardships, fought bigger battles, and faced down more significant threats than anything this town’s haters can throw at us.
Yes, we’ve lost friends. We’ve lost advertisers and business contacts. The stress of these attacks has been real, and the pain of watching our reputation smeared has been profound. But for every loss, we’ve found resilience. For every hit we’ve taken, we’ve gotten back up stronger. And for every lie spread about us, we’ve countered with the truth. That’s what we stand for: truth, integrity, and the belief that a free press is worth fighting for.
To those who think they know us or believe they understand what we’re about, let me tell you this: you don’t. We’re not just some small-town paper struggling to survive; we’re part of a bigger mission to redefine how news is delivered, consumed, and trusted. And every time you come at us with your nonsense rhetoric, every time you spread another rumor or try to tear us down, you’re only fueling our determination to succeed.
We’re not just standing up to the bullies; we’re fighting back with every tool at our disposal. From our reporting to our community engagement to our legal actions, we’re committed to exposing the truth and holding those who seek to harm us accountable. You might think you’ve caused us irreparable damage, but the reality is you’ve only steeled our resolve.
This fight isn’t just about the Grants Pass Tribune. It’s about the importance of local journalism in an era when misinformation runs rampant. It’s about giving our community a voice and holding those in power accountable. It’s about standing up to hate and division and proving that integrity and hard work still matter.
To our supporters, thank you. Your belief in us keeps us going. To our detractors, take note: we’re here to stay. The more you try to silence us, the louder our voice will become. The more you try to discredit us, the harder we’ll work to prove you wrong. And the more you try to intimidate us, the more you’ll see that we’re not just fighters—we’re survivors.
Running a newspaper in today’s economy isn’t easy. It requires grit, passion, and a thick skin. But it’s worth it because the role of the press is more critical now than ever before. Despite the challenges, despite the attacks, and despite the odds, the Grants Pass Tribune is here to serve this community, and we won’t back down.
Hate and division may be real, but so is our commitment to truth and progress. So, to those who have doubted us or tried to stand in our way: keep watching. You haven’t seen anything yet.