What does it mean to publish a newspaper in 2024?
What role do we play in today’s society; moreover, what role should we play?
How do we decide what to cover?
Our first priority is to report the news that is important to our readers, and beyond that, our society at-large. Personally, I take no joy in publishing a health warning given to a local restaurant. The purely-business side of me leans towards saying ‘don’t do that. You may alienate one of our current or potential clients.’ The newsman in me then pipes up, ‘you have a responsibility to inform your community of a potential public health issue.’
If someone is wanted on a warrant, should we not run that because it possibly will stigmatize a community? Is stigma exclusive to certain people? If we run a press release for someone who has a warrant out for who lives in a certain part of the city, does that not stigmatize that person’s family and community? How do you measure stigma? If someone is a clear danger to those around them, do we have a responsibility to share that information?
What wins out? Where are lines drawn? And if lines are drawn, who decides what? There’s an often-overlooked adage from former US President Harry Truman, “The buck stops here.” That may be ignored by many in positions of power and authority, but not by me.
Along with our mandate of reporting the news of the day, we also provide opinion pieces, generated both in and out-of-house. The opinions expressed within those pieces may or may not be in line with my way of thinking, but if they’re presented in such a way that can be disseminated by our readers, with a clear narrative, I won’t stand in the way of publishing it. And if a fellow citizen has an opposing view to that piece, again – with a direct and comprehensive form to their rebuttal, it’ll be published with the same zeal that the former was.
Ultimately, we’re here to be a mirror and microphone. A mirror of what’s going on, shining back at us, with a detailed look at what we’re examining. A microphone insomuch as whoever steps up to speak is given fair time, should their argument meet the criteria laid out above.
Please use your turn signals.
Curtis Armstrong is the publisher and director of advertising at the Prince George Citizen.
