Local weekly community newspapers have long served as a vital communication link to readers, residents and other people interested in the area.
People in communities all over regularly look forward to the new edition of the local paper for the latest update of what’s happening in the community – last week, this week and next.
Community newspapers traditionally are trustworthy and reliable sources of print media, especially compared with the social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and even Internet.
Take the case on Feb. 18 when mainstream media reported that Canadian country music legend Gordon Lightfoot had died – only to retract the story within an hour after the man himself phoned news agencies to report that he was alive and well.
This news was started by someone on Twitter – obviously by an unqualified and unethical writer.
Growing technology and social media has turned many people into “wannabe” reporters with variable credentials to write the truth and get the facts straight.
Unfortunately, it seems anyone can now broadcast news and information– true and accurate or not – and if it appears newsworthy, the major media carries the story.
As a longtime community newspaper reporter, I am committed to report what serves the best interests of the community – to help promote and build the community.
I don’t hunt for the latest gossip or juicy lives of local people like many “tabloids” do.
Exposing the private and sexual lives of people is not news, unless there is some criminal activity involved.
What a waste of time and space to report on the lives of such people as golfing sensation Tiger Woods who has been hung out to dry since he was caught in an lifestyle of infidelity in late November.
Does anybody deserve this public lashing for private problems?
While mainly daily newspapers extensively cover the story about a non-Canadian, certainly there are more local and important stories than this to promote Canada your community.
If someone local had the private issues that Tiger Woods is experiencing, would we see it in the local newspaper? I don’t’ think so.
Community newspapers focus on the positive and growing life of the community and people.
Growing life of a community and local people are stories that I like to report on because I believe they are the most important to help build the community.