Why Slow News is the Future of Journalism
Think about the last time a headline made you stop and really think about an issue—not just click, scroll, or share, but reflect. Today’s news has become a race to be first, often at the expense of depth, context, and trust. At The Farmington Mercury, we believe the obsession with “breaking news” is part of what’s broken in journalism, and we’re proud to do things differently. We’re proudly, intentionally, last to the news.
Why? Because we know that what today’s readers need isn’t just information—it’s understanding. New York Magazine recently asked, “Can the media survive?” Our answer is yes—but only if journalism shifts from the shallow sprint to the thoughtful marathon.
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, put it plainly: “We lost our business model because of the internet, which everybody knows, but not for the reasons they think. It was simply that the tech companies built a better advertising model, and we couldn’t respond quickly enough.” As traditional newsrooms scrambled to keep up, depth was often sacrificed for clicks. But at The Farmington Mercury, we’re going in the opposite direction: slow journalism that gives readers something rare—clarity.
Why We’re Proud to Be #LastToFirst
We’re not just late to breaking news; we’re choosing to be last, focusing on depth over immediacy. Our philosophy—“Always last… to breaking news”—is more than a catchphrase; it’s a commitment to context. We don’t rush to publish just because there’s a story to tell. Instead, we take our time, curating the most relevant news for Farmington in a way that empowers our readers with context and insight. “Our weekly newsletter curates the most important local stories, allowing us to offer context and analysis that goes beyond the initial headlines,” our mission states.
Former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson once observed, “The notion that speed and volume would make up for depth and quality was always flawed.” In his words, chasing clicks doesn’t build trust or serve communities. We’re here to change that narrative by going deep where others go wide.
Why Speed Is Overrated (and Sometimes Harmful)
For all the hype around breaking news, “being first” often results in shallow coverage, errors, and even misinformation. Media analyst Emily Bell noted, “The media sacrificed trust for attention, and now they’re paying for it. Audiences have noticed the lack of quality, and they’re tuning out.” The race for speed undermines credibility—a risk we’re simply unwilling to take. We’re not competing to be the fastest; we’re here to get it right.
Privacy is another part of trust that fast-paced media has too often sacrificed. “The platforms’ reliance on tracking and data has eroded public trust,” said media consultant Jessica Lessin. The Farmington Mercury goes against that trend by using only first-party data, meaning our readers’ privacy is protected and respected. Unlike the big tech platforms, we don’t track readers around the web; we simply offer them thoughtful, quality news that’s worth their time.
Real Local News, Thoughtful Coverage
When we say we’re committed to our community, we mean it. Our approach to “slow news” puts readers first. Instead of racing to deliver sound bites, we focus on meaningful stories, from local elections to school board decisions to zoning changes. As Martin Baron, former editor of The Washington Post, said, “True journalism means being right, not being first.” We take that to heart, covering the issues that matter to Farmington with the care they deserve.
So if you’re tired of shallow news, endless alerts, and feeling like you’re always behind on the latest “update,” join us as we go #LastToFirst in local media. We believe the media can survive, but only if it learns to slow down, focus on quality, and serve its readers.
About Peter Cellino
Peter Cellino, publisher of The Farmington Mercury, firmly believes that good news starts with good coffee—and plenty of it. As the leader of our “Always last to breaking news” ethos, Peter knows that rushing only gets in the way of quality. He prefers news that percolates, where every word is brewed just right.
Peter’s approach? Support local, encourage reading, and never settle for superficial. He’s committed to ensuring that every zoning update, election profile, and high school piece serves Farmington with the clarity and attention it deserves. With The Mercury, there are no frantic alerts—just thoughtful updates that let readers understand the bigger picture without the rush.
Our senior writer, Jack Beckett, captures the essence of Farmington—whether it’s the latest election coverage, a high school spotlight, or a look into the Historic District Commission. And with Peter at the helm, each piece gets the time it needs to be worth your time.
Keep up with us on X and subscribe to our weekly newsletter—because every piece at The Mercury is slow-brewed, thoughtful, and worth savoring.