''The Barbour Democrat'' is an independent
newspaper published every Wednesday in
Philippi, West Virginia. It is the only newspaper published in
Barbour County and has a paid circulation of 5,300, accounting for 31% of the county's population. It is a member of the
West Virginia Press Association
West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sun sets on the Earth.
Etymology
The word "west" is a Germanic word passed into some R ...
.
''The Barbour Democrat'' has been published continuously since 6 July 1893, when it was founded by Aldine S. Poling. In the 1940s it absorbed a rival paper, ''The Philippi Republican''. The paper was owned and operated by the Byrne family, but is now owned in its entirety by J. Eric Cutright;
Lars Byrne is the editor and the only remaining Byrne family member still employed by ''The Barbour Democrat''.
Coverage consists of serious news from the region, reported by staff, and social items contributed by readers. In addition to covering events in Philippi,
Belington and
Junior, the ''Democrat'' runs several regular columns reporting news from small rural communities in the county. Despite its name, the paper has long since abandoned political partisanship and does not publish
editorial
An editorial, or leading article (UK) or leader (UK) is an article written by the senior editorial people or publisher of a newspaper, magazine, or any other written document, often unsigned. Australian and major United States newspapers, suc ...
s or endorse candidates.
In 2004, ''The Barbour Democrat'' received the Barbour County Chamber's Directors' Award 'for long and faithful dedication to the continuing prosperity of Barbour County and its citizens, wherever in the world they may now be living.' In 2005, the paper won the
West Virginia Education Association
West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sun sets on the Earth.
Etymology
The word "west" is a Germanic word passed into some R ...
's Golden Apple Award for continuous coverage of
education issues.
WVEA press release
References
Barbour Democrat Website
Barbour County, West Virginia
Barbour Democrat, The
1893 establishments in West Virginia