Oct. 5-11 marks a special week for us here at The Sampson Independent. It’s National Newspaper Week, the 85th such celebration of local journalism throughout the United States and Canada.
Of course, much like any observance of a profession or promotion of awareness of a disease, we really observe Newspaper Week all 52 weeks of the year, but it’s always a good thing to recognize just how vital a newspaper is to its community.
With the prevalence of social media and 24-hour news networks, sometimes the value of local journalism can be overlooked. Yes, those other outlets bring news instantly to your mobile device, television or laptop, but they don’t tell the stories that make communities tick. On Facebook or CNN for example, you won’t hear about the decisions made by the local school boards, city council, town boards, upcoming events or local notable people who make a difference — unless there’s some major drama or crime that piques the interest of national or regional news media.
To quote the National Newspaper Week official website, “In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, reconnecting with local news is vital for civic engagement, accountability and community resilience.”
We are lucky in Sampson County to still have a print newspaper that delivers the news that matters to everyday citizens. Sure, politics and posturing dominate most news feeds, but your local newspaper is where you can find out whether or not your property tax bills are going up, or if a road near you is closing for construction, or what businesses are coming to town. The newspaper is the only place to find out about local government decisions that affect your daily life, or who’s running for your town board and will ultimately be making those decisions.
And let’s not forget the plethora of local sports coverage your local newspaper provides, touting the great things our young athletes do from the recreation fields to the high school gridiron, basketball court, soccer pitch and volleyball court, just to name a few.
Newspapers also let you know what went on at local government meetings. Journalists serve as watchdogs, keeping officials accountable for their actions and ensuring that governmental business is done on the up and up.
Newspapers exist to keep you informed, telling stories that help you feel a sense of belonging in your community, help you feel a part of something, and help you know about the events and happenings that affect you most.
Newspapers are also your voice. We welcome your opinions and encourage your feedback. We present the news to you in an unbiased manner, without the spin so many complain about in the mainstream media today.
Newspapers can also be tools for economic development, with advertising and marketing partnerships contributing to the community’s bottom line. Our annual Readers Choice Awards, for example, provide plenty of attention for local businesses, recognizing the hard workers who keep the Sampson County economy thriving.
We celebrate the good, shed a light on the bad and work to uncover the ugly.
Without a local newspaper, town boards will operate in the shadows, heroes will go unrecognized and problems that aren’t investigated will fester.
Help us continue to help you. We’re open to your comments and suggestions. After all, without its community behind it, a newspaper is just some pieces of paper and newsprint. We need you and you need us. News, after all, is a collaborative effort.