It’s National Newspaper Week
Time to celebrate being your local news source
The first week in October is National Newspaper Week — a time that has been set aside for the past 79 years — so that newspapers can celebrate the impact they have on their communities. The theme this year is: Think First — Know your Five Freedoms.
In the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press was one of five freedoms expressly given to all Americans. The other four are freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and the right to petition the government for grievances.
Newspapers have a rich tradition of chronicling those freedoms we all should cherish.
Feather Publishing’s family of six weekly newspapers cover Plumas and Lassen counties. Those newspapers and our websites are focused on what’s happening locally. We strive to provide the news that you won’t find elsewhere. What matters most to you, matters most to us. By design, we leave the state, national and world news to all of the other sources people have at their disposal.
Unfortunately, with the daily onslaught of news and information, it seems some people have trouble distinguishing the difference between real news and fake news — often fueled by the scope of conversations on Facebook and other social media, which, interestingly, has presented a new array of challenges to our newsroom given our inherent responsibility to squelch rumors and report facts.
It requires fact-checking, research, practice, trust-building and a devotion to truth, honesty and democratic decision-making. And no amount of tweets will protect the public’s right to know or effectively watchdog our government.
In Plumas and Lassen counties, when it comes to getting an accurate and complete account of what happened at the local school board meeting, how the city council or your board of supervisors voted, or being enlightened by the many pictures and stories covering floods, fires, vehicle accidents, proms, homecoming royalty, local sporting events and the myriad daily happenings of your community, we believe this newspaper and its affiliated websites continue to be your most complete, reliable and trusted source for that information.Newspapers are also the repositories of the community’s history.
We know you enjoy reading us, and we know you believe in us. You continue to submit letters to the editor and send in press releases. You continue to buy our newspaper and place ads on its pages — which, incidentally, provides us with the revenue we need to make this newspaper and our websites possible.
On behalf of the 80 dedicated and talented men and women who work relentlessly for you day-in and day-out here at Feather Publishing, we want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your life.