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A world with no journalism

I understand that we live in a time of great polarization and in what many consider a ‘Post-truth Era.’ I hope one day soon we come to realize the value of our local newspapers before we reach a time where there is no one left to cover our towns and districts.
typewriter
File photo.

In the words of a wise man, Mr. Laurence Tureaud, “I pity the fool!” 

The widely known and trademarked catch phrase summarizes a concept so universally understood – an expression of sorrow for someone who doesn’t realize their own ignorance. 

Boy, oh boy, do I ever pity the fool who doesn’t understand the value of community journalism.  

In saying that, I realize there are times when I am in fact foolish myself. There are incalculable things I am ignorant of – but one thing I feel I am not ignorant of is the vital role that journalism and the press play in smaller communities, in larger contexts and around the world. 

The tireless – and I do mean tireless, as I have met very few well rested reporters – work of journalists have exposed countless injustices from those buried deep in the past to those occurring in the present. They also highlight the success of our community members and their concerns. 

Without local reporting, very few would be privy to the frustrations of local volunteer fire chiefs, to the protests of local parents concerned for their children's well-being, or to the achievements of community fundraisers.  

Without journalists, who would sit in on countless hours of municipal meetings and inform citizens of what their elected officials are up to? 

Without journalism, our understanding of our own neighbourhoods, towns and country would be lacking.  

I understand that we live in a time of great polarization and in what many consider a ‘Post-truth Era.’ I hope one day soon we come to realize the value of our local newspapers before we reach a time where there is no one left to cover our towns and districts.

I fear a time that sees an end to free press. 

In 2016, the Oxford Dictionary chose ‘post-truth’ as the word of the year, perhaps to no one’s surprise, this came following the 2016 United States presidential election and the rise of the “Fake News” rhetoric. 

Oxford Dictionary defines post-truth as "Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief." 

As a society, it feels like we are entering a time where people lack trust in anything coming from anyone other than their closest acquaintances.  

And while posing questions is never a bad thing – without trust in anything, our social fabrics begin to loosen and fray.  

We risk a great deal by undercutting our local news organizations. In fact, it could be the collapse of our entire democratic system, as the press is the fourth pillar of democracy.  

The four entities that require a healthy and vibrant democracy include the Legislature pillar, the Executive pillar, the Judiciary body and lastly – democracy’s watchdog – the Press. All four pillars support the institution of democracy.  

The failing or lack of autonomy of one pillar threatens to disrupt the entire system. In countries around the world, including the Philippines, citizens are fighting to defend the very existence of free press against regimes that are working to silence independent journalism. 

I know many are uncomfortable at the idea that taxpayer dollars are used to fund or subsidize media outlets such as the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC), the Canadian Press and others, but I pose this question: who would you rather have backing your public media, corporations, special interest groups or the collective contributions of Canadians?




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