Opinion

Thank Goodness For Community Newspapers

This time of the year is when National Newspaper Week is observed by publications across the country. Sadly, the amount of publications keeps decreasing year after year. It’s about to the point where people should call it “thank goodness we have a community newspaper week.”

It’s a sad situation, but fortunately there are some leaders who are still devoted to giving the news to their residents. This newspaper and this community should be grateful that Darla Downs remains as a committed owner and publisher. Not only is she devoted to her community newspapers, but her love of journalism can be seen as she has served for many years on the Montana Newspaper Association and Montana Newspaper Advertising Services board of directors. She’s helping newspapers survive in our state.

Although the great majority of people don’t get rich by being part of the newspaper industry, the personal awards and sense of accomplishment are fulfilling. If a journalist doesn’t have the drive and desire to give their readers the best coverage possible, then they are probably in the wrong field of work.

My personal love of journalism came at a young age. Back in those days, we looked forward to examining the daily newspapers whether it was front page news or the box scores in the sports section. It was a daily treat for all members of the family.

As a junior in high school, I joined the staff of our high school newspaper where I became the co-editor of the sports section for the bi-weekly newspaper. It was a great start especially since we have the privilege of working for an outstanding faculty advisor. The newspaper became a love for me and led me to earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

My first real job experience came at the Sidney Herald where I worked as sports editor and then managing editor for about 25 years combined. There were many lessons that I learned during those years, but one of them was the importance of being involved in the community. Whether it was through the Kiwanis program or baseball commission, I became more and more active. Newspapers just don’t cover their communities, but the staff becomes actively connected with their towns.

That’s why it’s so sad whenever a newspaper shuts its doors or even are sold to a corporation. A part of the community is lost. Earlier this year, it was heartbreaking when the Daniels County Leader closed due to the well-deserved retirements of the Bowlers.

We are grateful how welcoming our new readers in Daniels County have made us feel during visits to Scobey. We are doing our best with our new assignments.

Whether it’s Wolf Point, Scobey, Poplar or Culbertson, it’s great to feel apart of a community effort. It also a great feeling to provide the best coverage that we can for these people. That’s what small town newspapers are all about, and hopefully we can continue to serve you for many more years, and you can proudly say, “thank goodness we have a community newspaper.”