In the March issue of Editor & Publisher, the Cordova Times was featured as an “honorable mention” in “10 That Do it Right,” E&P’s yearly salute to top news media companies. The small weekly in remote South-Central Alaska (only accessible by boat or plane) was awarded “Best Comprehensive Coverage of the COVID Pandemic” across all media, broadcast and print, and “Alaska’s Best Weekly” for two years in a row by the Alaska Press Club.
The Cordova Times covers local news, city government, community features, commercial fisheries, environmental news, the Alaska legislature, Alaska Native news, arts, science, history and Alaskan culture. Unfortunately, The Cordova Times is struggling to remain in business since its current owners, The Native Village of Eyak (NVE), has recently announced that if a suitable owner does not come forward, the tribe will simply stop the newspaper. And the price? Free!
Tribal Council Chair Mark Hoover is quoted as saying: “We are open to any proposals and will work with any group that might be interested.” Interested parties should contact NVE Deputy Director Brooke Mallory for more information at brooke.mallory@eyak-nsn.gov.
In this 131st episode of “E&P Reports,” we explore the world of publishing a weekly newspaper in a remote Alaskan community with Editor Annette Potter and contributing writer Zachary Snowdon Smith of The Cordova Times. This tribal publication needs to find a new owner whose only investment will be to live in what Niche.com describes as "one of the best places to live in Alaska."
