Our View

We would like to take the opportunity this week to say thank you to everyone who subscribes to this newspaper or purchases it each week from the shelves. Without support for journalism, this nation would be a different place indeed.

The New York Times released the results of a survey recently that said 73 percent of news consumers in America who subscribe to a news source say it has never been more important to support quality journalism.

It was this survey that launched the newspaper’s ad campaign called, “The Truth Is Worth It”, which aimed to show that original and independent journalism requires resources, time and commitment by showcasing some of the important truths their work has uncovered. You can’t, of course, have resources, time and commitment without the funding that subscriptions provide.

But while the New York Times may be uncovering national political scandals, we believe your local newspaper is no less important a pillar of the democracy we enjoy. The New York Times may be uncovering wrongdoing on a national and international scale, but it takes just as much effort on a local level to make sure our readers know what is happening in their towns and county.

It’s often said that government is better the closer it is to the people, and we think coverage of government is just as vital whether it’s on a small or large scale. Our little corner of the journalism world focuses on keeping you informed of smaller matters – ones specific to Crook County – that impact your life in very real ways on a daily basis.

Without financial support in the form of your subscription checks or the 75c you hand over to the cashier, we could not do that. While we are human beings and happy to admit we’re not perfect, we do strive to the utmost of our ability to make sure we are delivering the news you need – and we couldn’t do it without your help.

We also aim to improve what we bring to our readers, introducing new ideas and sections, which is why you’ll sometimes spot changes within these pages to what you are used to seeing. We have recently upgraded our online presence, for example, to ensure our subscribers can access all of their news and information wherever they may be. Again, we could not do that without your support.

Our founding fathers very sensibly chose to keep the fourth estate separate from the others. There are no state-funded publications in our country, which means the news we bring you will always be independent from outside influence. We are not restricted to telling you only the things that your government has decided you are allowed to know.

Why is this important? Because history has shown us time and again that one of the first signs of a crumbling democracy is the loss of its newspapers, because a dictator or despot will always prefer the population does not question their actions. As the Washington Post would tell you, “democracy dies in darkness”.

To shine a light into your government and help it stay honest and close to its people is a responsibility we take extremely seriously. As is your need to stay informed about your own community and the good works that are being done within it.

Bringing you the information you expect is a goal that, with your help, we will always strive to meet. Thank you for helping us do that.