Newspapers play such a unique role in the communities where they are embedded. National Newspaper Week is a great reminder that a thriving community is also an informed one.
I’m reminded of a scene from the HBO Series “The Newsroom” where actor Jeff Daniels laments why America is no longer the greatest country in the world. He then reflects on a time when he felt America was the greatest country in the world. He goes on to cite examples of America’s greatness and at the end says we were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed.
Daniels was referencing broadcast news, which is the premise of the show, but the same certainly applies to newspapers. A great and thriving community is an informed community. In many small communities such as the many that are in the four-county radius of The Era, the daily newspaper is the lifeblood of that information stream.
That’s a unique relationship — a community and its local newspaper. When I first started full-time in the journalism business at 22, I found that out, and it was a wonderful thing. Working in sports, I was attracted to the field initially because it provided a competitive outlet being around something I enjoyed. What I soon realized is that those relationships, the ones that are built with members of the community, are far more impactful than any sort of personal satisfaction that comes with the job. I’ve developed so many wonderful relationships because I chose this profession, and that’s something I never take for granted.
People need to feel like they can trust their local newspaper. On a national level, there seems to be a lot of debate on whether that trust still exists, but I can tell you on a local level that it absolutely still does. It’s a trust that has to be earned, and one that is essential for success.
And it’s such a rewarding relationship. Getting to meet new people, tell their stories and see their joy when those stories are shared with the public. Of course, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows, because as everyone knows, not all news is good news. On many occasions, stories have to be written, and things have to be shared that are truly heartbreaking. But that’s part of the job, too.
It’s an important relationship that I wouldn’t trade for anything, though. Being a cog in that machine that connects the community to information is wonderful, fulfilling and vital. So thank you, the readers, for allowing us to serve you.
