Tell us our Future- it’s up to you!

Did you know there’s actually a US website called Newspaper Death Watch? It keeps tabs on the number of newspapers that have ceased publication since 2007. But this is not a trend only in the US, of course, but all over. Last week we heard that newsrooms were merging in four major Canadian cities- Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Guelph Mercury, a 149 year-old daily newspaper, suddenly closed its doors last week as well. Prior to its incarnation as a daily, it had been a weekly publication since 1854. The week before, Black Press announced that the 141 year old Nanaimo Daily News would also close. Should we mourn this antiquated form of information distribution, or chalk it up to progress?

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Community newspapers have a long history in this area as evidenced by this Millbrook Reporter dated Sept. 1923, covering Council news, farm trends, events and obituaries. The difference? No Toronto bank ads for us.

Some are calling for government intervention, or at least a broad public policy discussion about the role of quality journalism in a healthy democracy. Is this just left wing propaganda? I wonder…

Does it matter that Guelph no longer has a daily newspaper? Can’t the readers just get their information on-line?

Unifor National President Jerry Dias expressed the view this week that “Newspapers play a vital role in keeping Canadian society healthy. Canadians must recognize that professional, quality journalism is critical in supporting our democratic way of life.” And here’s why: “Media outlets are more than a business. They are a public trust, and we need to find a way forward to ensure that they survive these difficult times and find a way to thrive into the future.”

When we go on-line for information, we tend to seek opinions that reinforce our views. It’s easy to avoid reading things that are annoying. We go to websites and Facebook of groups, organizations and businesses that we support. This tends to result in more polarized views, because we avoid hearing the other side of things.

Jonathan Kay, National Post journalist and Editor-in-chief of the political magazine, Walrus, believes we are headed to a major divide in terms of the publications that will survive. On one side are consumers who choose light, mindless lists like of “37 Totally Perfect Bikini Bodies”, and “15 Ways to Know if He’s Cheating on You” and on the other hand are those who go to the other extreme, funding obtuse articles about the politics of cheap beach vacations and the ethics of purchasing no name products.   Lost are the mundane, middle-of-the-road publications that offer conflicting political perspectives, cover broad topics we didn’t realize should interest us, and provide clear, relevant information delivered without condescension.   That’s the role of the daily newspaper- to offer information to a diverse group of people in a balanced way to allow them to sort out their views together.

Now this paper is a weekly, not a daily, but there are similarities. On these pages you will find information about diverse organizations, businesses and individuals going about their business and making a difference in our community. Club members who read articles about their own activities also see stories about school children, Council decisions, new business ventures, hockey tournaments and community events. Sure, you can get some of the information from other places.

So if you believe that a local newspaper contributes to a healthy community, renew your subscription, then pass your paper to a neighbour and encourage them to subscribe, too. To survive in this environment, we need evidence that our weekly efforts are valued by the community.   With your support, this weekly will go against the tide and flourish in an atmosphere of respect and understanding of all of our neighbours.

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