With our republic in decline, we need local news outlets more than ever
This editorial is the opinion of Morgan Hill Life
In a world where everyone can receive current event information nearly instantly on their digital devices, are local newspapers still relevant? That’s the question the National Newspaper Association is bringing up in the celebration of the 82nd annual National Newspaper Week, which takes place Oct. 2-8.
With our republic in decline, we need local news outlets more than ever. But local news is at risk. Small newspapers face stiff competition from Silicon Valley companies with digital platforms that siphon advertising revenue from newspapers — money needed to stay in business.
Social media contributes to the decline in people reading local papers and trusting those news sources. This technology sorts the audience into tribal camps loyal to often extreme political ideologies. Politicians who say the media is “the enemy of the people” help to undermine the credibility of the free press. That results in even greater extremism, adding to the dangerous political polarization now undermining democracy in America and elsewhere.
Newspapers such as Morgan Hill Life play an important role in reducing polarization. Our pages share opinions from a variety of viewpoints, allowing readers to reduce tunnel vision. We hope they appreciate the complexity of issues by reading fact-based perspectives provided by diverse sides. Stories that focus on local issues help readers stay aware of what impacts them socially, culturally, economically and politically.
The framers of the Constitution understood the importance of news media. They were no doubt guided by Benjamin Franklin, a man who realized first hand from his career as a journalist and publisher how the media can sway opinion for good or ill. They placed the protection of the free press in the First Amendment to make sure that the public — and especially voters — have a source of news and information free from corrupted government officials intent on swaying citizens to their agenda.
History gives strong warning about what happens when a society loses its free press. Minds are manipulated by propaganda. People begin to believe irrational ideas not backed with facts vetted by journalists. When the Nazi Party took power in 1933, they rapidly grew to control Germany by taking over print, cinema and radio media to spread false messages of hate and fear. The warning is clear. It can happen here.
If we lose our free press, we will lose our freedoms. That’s why news outlets throughout America must form a solidarity in a common and audacious purpose to build trust in the free press again.
To do that, they must support a goal that can inspire all Americans to join together to achieve it. Such a national unification will go far to reduce the polarization of our people. In previous issues of Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life, we have encouraged our readers to support the Vision-2020 goal of a global peace movement. Now we encourage all news outlets in America and other nations to join our small community newspapers and likewise encourage their audience to support a noble endeavor to achieve a world forever free of wars and terrorism by Christmas Day in the year 2040.
Despite what some cynics might say, local newspapers are extremely relevant in an age where too much misinformation and disinformation is spread on the Internet. Local media sources have the power to shape the social will.
The social will holds the power to push the political will and thus bring change. Let us use the power of the media — newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, online podcasts and other forums — to join all Americans to fight for our freedoms and unite around the goals of Vision-2020.
