MATTAPOISETT — In an era where journalism faces an uncertain future, local news outlets addressed concerns and the importance of local news.

On Wednesday, June 25, Anne Eisenmenger, founder and publisher of Sippican Week; Paul Lopes, owner and editor of The Wanderer; and Karen Bordeleau, executive editor at The New Bedford Light, discussed their publications and shared their thoughts on the state of local news in a panel hosted by the Mattapoisett Library.

Bordeleau noted that the three papers represented in the panel are specialized, covering areas and subjects others can’t or won’t.

“That’s the important thing to remember …. What can we do that no one else is doing?” she said.

The New Bedford Light, Bordeleau explained, focuses on investigative and explanatory pieces regarding issues occurring in the city of New Bedford, such as recent raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in the city.

Bordeleau also referenced the Sippican Week article, “Couple celebrates 100 years and decades of adventure,” as a hyper local story that wouldn’t be covered elsewhere.

Eisenmenger founded Wareham Week in 2010 and later Sippican Week, Dartmouth Week and Nemasket Week as sustainable for-profit community newspapers reminiscent of papers that everyone in a town could read as a “common source of conversation.”

“I call it here, mass media for a very small mass,” she said, explaining that the papers cover hyper local news about people, events and town issues.

Bordeleau said that with the loss of local papers and a shift that occurred after the mid-2000s, many government entities are no longer used to being covered or asked challenging questions.

She added that officials used to be embarrassed if they did something wrong and were covered for it, but with the decline of daily papers, people haven’t been paying as close attention.

Lopes added that the current political climate makes it more difficult to hold officials accountable.

According to Lopes, local papers are important in town government, citing a survey that showed that in towns without a local newspaper the town budget was on average 30% higher.

Eisenmenger said that while she has “no question” that older generations love newspapers, it’s difficult to engage with schools and youth organizations to cover children’s events and appeal to a younger audience.

Looking to the future of local news, Eisenmenger said one challenge will be ensuring that providing local information “survives to the next generation.”