Allow us for one day to opine on what we know best: Newspapers.
Our newspaper traces its origins to the founding of the Morgantown Weekly Post on March 12, 1864.
More relevant on that date, though, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of the armies of the United States and went on to make some history.
Though much has changed at our newspaper in the 155 years since then, the rights that were preserved on the Civil War’s battlefields are still as relevant today as then.
We take this occasion to remind our readers of the importance of the press during this, the 79th annual National Newspapers Week.
If there is any legacy our newspaper has always aspired to it is protecting the public’s right to know what their government is up to.
Of course, we also strive to matter to our community for any of a score or more reasons, including coverage of events, as a community forum, publication of timely public notices, etc.
Still some might believe our constant efforts to also uphold the First Amendment to the Constitution simply pertains to the right of a free press inscribed in it.
They would be wrong. The fundamental rights of freedom declared in that amendment are ultimately what it means to be an American.
We like to think the First Amendment does not exist to protect the press. But that the press strives to protect all our rights.
That includes the right to openly express your opinions about government or anything else.
Freedom to peaceably assemble in protest, to freely practice religion, to petition the government for a redress of grievances, are all essential to our way of life.
Far from being the enemy of the people, we exist to hold government accountable and ensure it is transparent.
In this regard, our newspaper has always mattered and is perhaps even more relevant in today’s turmoil.
In recent years, we have worked doubly hard to ensure trust in not only the “real” news we publish, but the credibility of journalists and their sources.
Yes, we probably do raise doubts about many things some may regard as truth. And we do make mistakes.
However, we correct our mistakes and we make it easy to reach a “real” reporter or editor who can respond to almost any complaint or question.
Clearly, much is being asked of us but we do not just ask the public to trust the process. We call on the public to participate in it.
Finally, newspapers are hardly the enemy or adversary of government, either.
Instead, we remain the champions of the common man and woman — the governed.
