EDITORIAL: We need you

Published 9:10 am Thursday, March 30, 2023

We are always working hard to keep you informed.

We try to keep our eye on local government on your behalf.

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We cover and celebrate the arts in ways just not seen in other local newspapers.

We do stories about our nonprofit agencies and provide information about how they benefit the community in very real ways.

We showcase all the great things happening in our schools throughout the year.

We cover our high school and VSU sports.

We defend the public’s right to know.

We champion the First Amendment.

We stand up for free speech.

For us, it is all a labor of love.

We are not some agenda-driven national cable news organization. We are you neighbors, your friends and your family. We care about this community because it is our community.

It is no secret that local newspapers have fallen on hard times. Major national advertisers no longer place ads in local newspapers, opting in many cases to just advertise their products on social media.

Unfortunately, many people also choose to get their “news” and information on Facebook and Twitter despite the fact social media has proven, over and over again, to be an unreliable news source.

Sadly, many communities throughout the nation, including in Georgia, no longer have a local newspaper. When that happens, local government is no longer held accountable. Corruption is no longer exposed. And, a community is no longer informed.

Just the other day, a person at one of our schools here contacted us wanting several copies of the print edition because students were featured in a story. Of course, if there were no local paper those kinds of things would not happen.

We are not asking for a hand out, in any way.

All we ask is that if you are able, please consider subscribing to the newspaper.

A newspaper subscription gives you full access to every printed edition, delivered to your home and our robust website with stories updated every day.

A newspaper subscription also supports local journalism, ensuring that we can continue bringing you coverage of city and county government, the school board, the local arts scene, school sports and all the other great things happening in our public and private schools.

If you own a business and could benefit from advertising your goods or services to the thousands of readers we reach with each edition and online, please consider advertising in your local newspaper.

We love this community and want to continue to serve it for many years to come. Please at least consider the value of subscribing to the paper.

You can subscribe at: https://bit.ly/2V3Mrlw or stop by and visit us at 201 N. Troup Street in Valdosta.