In light of National Newspaper Week (October 1-7), several community leaders have spoken out about the importance of community newspapers.
“Local newspapers matter,” said Fernie Chamber of Commerce executive director, Patty Vadnais.
“We depend on our local paper to keep us informed on matters with local government, on the success stories of local businesses, and on the work of local non-profits. We would be missing out without a local newspaper presenting balanced stories on local items.”
Since it was formed in 1898, The Free Press has been a provider of community news throughout the Elk Valley, and has been located at the same location downtown Fernie for the majority of its years.
It is currently home to a publisher, an editor, a reporter, a production manager, an advertising representative and a customer service representative. Although the staff have changed throughout the years, the product has remained much the same.
Everyone at the newspaper understands the importance of continuing to produce the quality product that residents in the Elk Valley have come to expect over the past 120 years.
“Without a local news room, the true uniqueness of local Canadian culture could not be told. It is these stories that inspire and create action,” said Tourism Fernie executive officer Jikke Gyorki.
Fernie Search and Rescue Manager Simon Piney said that the local paper has been valuable in reporting SAR’s activities and promoting safety.
“We have worked with The Free Press for years, and appreciate a local newspaper, staffed by reporters who live in our community,” he said.
“Because of this local aspect, The Free Press has been a valuable partner to us in reporting on our rescue activities and helping promote safety messages we seek to convey.”
Randal Macnair, Wildsight’s Elk Valley Conservation Coordinator, said that newspapers play an important role in communities.
“We often think about the heart or the soul of our communities yet it is less often that we cast our thoughts to the conscience,” he said.
“In the increasingly chaotic world of tweets, posts and trolls, reliable journalism has an ever-important role to play as the conscience of our communities and indeed our countries.
“Local newsrooms and the individuals in them can make a difference in our communities, they can shed light on the truth and celebrate our achievements, they can bind us together and remind us of who we are.”
East Kootenay MLA Tom Shypitka said without local newsrooms, there would be no local news.
“Local newsrooms are important because local newsrooms are the only ones that report on local news,” he said.
“That is the whole premise of local news rooms. In today’s world of mass media and fake news, residents rely on dependable and accountable local news so that they are in tuned with their direct local issues.
“Without local newsrooms, small rural area residents would only be aware of provincial and regional issues that would not necessarily contain the views and issues of their less populated areas.
“Support your local newsrooms. Subscribe to their postings to ensure you will be well informed on things in your neighbourhood and not somebody else’s.”
Read more: Opinion: Newspapers matter