If you are reading these words right now, consider yourself very fortunate: You are not a resident of one of the hundreds of U.S. cities, towns and counties that have no local, reliable print or online source of news. But while you’re enjoying your good fortune, also consider this: According to a study from Northwestern University’s journalism school, local newspapers are shutting down at a pace of about two per week. The study predicts that the country will have lost one-third of all its local newspapers by 2025.
What is replacing these news sources? In many areas, nothing. In others, national chains, looking to squeeze as much profit as possible from under-staffed newsrooms, publish the same handful of articles in all their papers and websites, with little regard for the local importance or relevance of the content.
Journalism–serious journalism—is in serious jeopardy in this country. As was written more than a century ago, journalism is about reporting facts “without fear or favor.” That means a journalist doing his or her job properly is likely to piss some people off. If the pissed-off party happens to be an elected official or some other potentate, that means you, the reader, are learning important information about the people who hold sway in your community.
But of late, a lot of powerful people are trying to persuade you that journalism, and the people who practice it, are your enemy. These attacks are a dangerous but all-too-familiar strategy employed by those who don’t want you, the reader, to learn the truth about their misdeeds, self-dealing and, often, their crimes. It has been our good fortune in this country that attacks on journalists have proven to be the swan song of would-be autocrats; but the future holds no guarantees, as social media sites, spewing unchallenged misinformation and outright lies, and serving only the interests of those who create them, have replaced serious journalism for far too many people.
So, back to you, the fortunate, well-informed resident of Flagler County. You have a resource in FlaglerLive that provides you with diligently reported facts about everything from storms and beach erosion to traffic deaths and drug arrests to real estate taxes and the shenanigans of your local elected officials. But reporting takes time, effort and, yes, money.
And that’s where you come in. FlaglerLive is a non-profit entity, which means it serves no masters but you, your community and the facts.
It also means donations that you, your friends and families make to FlaglerLive are tax-deductible. It’s an investment in staying informed and in helping to keep your community from becoming one of those many wastelands of no information and worse, misinformation. It is through your generosity that Flagler County has a serious, dedicated online news source in FlaglerLive. Through hurricanes, heated political races and Florida’s culture wars FlaglerLive has kept its readers armed with the facts they need to make decisions for themselves and their families.
I have been a board member of FlaglerLive for the past 12 years because I believe in its mission, and in the critical role it plays in restoring public trust in journalism. And now I ask you to help us ensure that FlaglerLive continues to thrive as it serves the citizens of Flagler County, by becoming a Friend of FlaglerLive through our end-of-year fund-raiser.
Herman says
Journalism, true journalism is not the enemy and not what is not to be believed. Biased journalism is what is the issue. When a so called journalist can not provide an account of a story and allow the reader to draw their own opinion it IS NOT JOURNALISM it is an editorial. I love Flagler Live and the information about our county that is provided. However it’s liberal bias flows unchecked and even goes to the comments it allows to be posted or the rules on what is shared evenly handed out. The same issues that are now being exposed about twitter #twitterfiles. While we all knew it was there, it is now out there and exposed and what happens. The liberal media fails to report it. Not a surprise but it is disappointing and why so called journalism is not journalism. They are articles but it is presented as opinion.
Flagler Live will get my donation which grows every year but it is sad to see nothing but a one sided bias in everything that is presented. You can do better Flagler Live and be even more of a service to the community.
Laurel says
Herman: If by “liberal” you mean intelligent, I don’t see the problem. I’m a lifelong Independent, and take in information and make my own conclusions.
I remember walking up to a lady at a Republican booth, at a Flagler Beach street event, and asked her how, as a woman, could vote for a man who boasted that he was a star, and as a star, he could do anything he wanted to women. He bragged “You can grab them by the pussy.” The woman I was talking to had never heard that, and told me she had no idea what I was talking about! I could see on her face she was telling me the truth. I was shocked! Clearly, Fox Entertainment, and all her other *news sources* didn’t report Trump’s comment, which was on tape. Here, at Flagler Live, I can say that, and you can agree or disagree. Where else can you do that?
I’ve already donated.
Herman says
@laurel… No, I did not indicate that anyone was intelligent or an idiot. I asked for unbiased reporting. Unbiased reporting reports facts from both sides, whether someone said “grab them by the pussy” , or “10% for the big guy”. I want to here the facts from both sides in a truthful unbiased manner. I don’t want information from one side “shadow banned” or accounts blocked just because they present opposing views. I am not afraid of opposing views. Are you? Fox News (if you call that journalism) should provide news from both sides, just as MSNBC, CNN…. and the list goes on should also (If you want to call them journalists). Other wise it is opinion not news… I am not satisfied with being in an echo chamber, neither should you if you are one of those “intelligent” liberals you speak of. You should want facts reported to you, good or bad in regards to your beliefs.
James says
I think he was reported to have said something to the effect “… if you’re a celebrity they’ll let you grab them by the p****.”
Whether that’s true or not, it’s certainly a crude statement to be made by anyone in my opinion.
As a “non-celebrity” male, the thought had never entered my mind until this guy started spewing his “locker room” talk everywhere. Hey, at least he got me thinking on the matter… and I thought about it… and well, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. How would he like it if woman went around grabbing his crotch instead of greeting him with a “firm” handshake?… Not such a good idea now that I think about it, right?
Just my opinion.
JimBob says
You’ve always got Newsmax, Herm!
James says
Yeah, thanks for adding the link… it’s true, he did indeed say something to that effect. :-)
Skibum says
I have to admit that FlaglerLive is either the 1st or 2nd news site that I visit every day when I am reading the news online. The article states that FlaglerLive has been around for 12 years now. Wow! I wish I had discovered this news site earlier because the local news stories I find here are so well written. I used to be a daily subscriber to the News Journal, but cancelled my subscription a long time ago due to the continuing subscription rate increases, the ongoing headaches with delivery issues, and the declining amount of local news stories. Those issues with the newspaper were all resolved once I found FlaglerLive, and I have supported this fine local news site in the past and will continue to support it in the future. Keep up the great work!