What is the value of a local newspaper in today’s era of information overload, of social media platforms when everyone can be their own news source and sites tailored to every conceivable belief and ideology?
This week is the 79th observance of National Newspaper Week—a recognition of the service of newspapers and their employees across North America. And this anniversary seems as good a time as any to reflect on the value of local newspapers.
Local newspapers serve as conduits of information and opinion—letting people know about the latest decision by the county board, who got arrested, what happened with that house fire down the street, who’s running for school board, what’s planned for this weekend’s festival, how the high school team did Friday night and what your friends and neighbors think about the issues of the day.
At their best, newspapers knit together the disparate parts of a community. While we may not agree on everything (or, at times, ...