The Geneva Believer is ending a more than five year run publishing from the city.
Founder Jim Meaney published a heartfelt message to loyal readers of the publication, indicating that a multitude of factors went into the decision.
“I immersed myself the work of researching and reporting on the social and political happenings in my little hometown city of Geneva, NY. Geneva Believer grew from a local alternative news blog to an influential source of investigative news and views about the social and political happenings in our community,” Meaney said in the post dated January 27, 2022. “Today, I’m announcing that I’ve made the difficult decision to cease publication of Geneva Believer, effective immediately.”
READ THE FINAL POST: “Geneva Believer is Closed for Business”
For Meaney, the decision came partly out of necessity and desire. The excitement he once felt reporting on the city he called home faded. “I’ve always aimed to give Geneva the unvarnished truth, no matter how uncomfortable, and now I need to be just as truthful with myself. The truth is that I no longer experience the same excitement, satisfaction and joy in writing for Geneva Believer. The truth is that the inherent stress of writing about city politics has negatively impacted my health. The truth is that I owe it to my family to be healthy and present. And as much as it saddens me to end it, I can’t allow Geneva Believer to stand between me and my family, and my own well-being,” he wrote.
He thanked supporters, City staffers, sources, and the community that made the independent publication possible.
“Massive thanks also go out to all the unnamed and uncredited contributors who worked in the ‘Geneva Believer newsroom’. These mystery staffers provided tips, inside information, leaked documents, and more, sometimes at great personal and professional risk, in order to bring Geneva the truth. Even though mine was the only name on the blog, I never felt like I was doing it alone, and I can’t thank you all enough. The community is enormously fortunate to have such truthtellers among us,” he added. “Finally, I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support. Without all of you, there’s no Geneva Believer.”
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