Does local journalism truly protect and defend democracy?

The myth and reality of the newspapers we read

I've seen locally owned papers top-heavy with the dead weight of nepotism where as many as four family members who have never written a published word in their lives enjoy executive positions (President, CEO, Publisher) and the financial benefits that come with those titles, while those who labor in the vineyard - the reporters, columnists, photographers, press operators, paper carriers and others - do the work that keeps the paper alive.

There's a lot of discussion these days about the steady demise of local newspapers, seemingly caught in a never-ending downward spiral with no relief in sight.

Local newspapers, we are told, are the last best hope for defending our democratic way of life. Without them, there will be vast news deserts resulting in less civic engagement and opening the door wide for undemocratic forces to flex their ugly muscles. Newspapers, the story goes on, are the last line of defense to keep the howling dogs of tyranny at bay.

I've been a longtime supporter of local community journalism, where a writer can know his town and his audience well. In fact, I worked for the same local newspaper for 55 years, which represents 71.4 percent of my life to date, with time off for good behavior.

No two local newspapers are alike, but many of them do share similarities. Over the years, I've read a great many small local papers as I've traveled around the country and talked to hundreds and hundreds of my fellow journalists. Some of the papers, as well as some of those journalists, are doing much better than others.

But the owners of so many of those papers that are failing need to look squarely in the mirror when pointing the finger of blame for their troubles. Put simply, once-thriving small local newspapers have refused to pivot. Seemingly everything around us has changed, but local newspapers have stuck to their old and tired ways.

Yes, there is considerable hand-wringing about the loss of local journalism and what that might mean for our free and open society, but maybe it's time we took a closer, less romantic look at these so-called defenders of democracy.

I hear it all the time - we have to support local newspapers because they promote and defend the values we hold dear. Unfortunately, more often than not, that's a myth, not reality.

We are told that we'll soon have news deserts all across the country, cutting people off from vital information they need to operate their cities and towns. The doom and gloom goes on and on and on.

But how many local newspapers serving towns across America truly have as their mission statement that they exist to promote and defend democracy?Have you checked? No matter where you live in this great country of ours, do you know who really owns or runs your local newspaper?

Are they owned by a hedge fund that gutted the newsroom when it took over as we've seen with so many small-town (and sometimes big-town) newspapers?

Are they part of a massive chain of small community newspapers run by a corporation far, far away where executives couldn't even find your town on a map?

Or are they locally owned by people who live in the same town as you do?

Everyone needs to make a profit, but is ownership more interested in the bottom line or in solid, objective journalism that makes ours a better society?

I've seen locally owned papers top-heavy with the dead weight of nepotism where as many as four family members who have never written a published word in their lives enjoy executive positions (President, CEO, Publisher) and the financial benefits that come with those titles, while those who labor in the vineyard - the reporters, columnists, photographers, press operators, paper carriers and others - do the work that keeps the paper alive.

One newspaper I'm aware of has a parking spot reserved for the Publisher. How about a parking spot reserved for a reporter or photographer on deadline?

There are so many questions I'd like to ask those who own and run these newspapers that pretend to defend democracy.

Does the newspaper treat its employees well?

Does it provide adequate family leave, sick leave and vacation? Or, as is so often the case, whatever it can get away with? Does it provide quality health care for its employees and their families? Does it make any contributions at all to a 401K plan?

Does it refuse to give employees a holiday - or least holiday pay - on Juneteenth and Cesar Chavez Day and Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday because it will hurt the bottom line?

Does it pay its employees a living wage so they can live in the town where they work and don't have to commute long distances to find affordable housing?

Does the paper willingly pay overtime wages when journalists work overtime? Or are those same journalists scolded when they attempt to put those overtime hours on their time cards?

Is there an employee profit-sharing plan? Are profits reinvested in the news product or are they used to line the pockets of the owners?

I know one small-town newspaper that pays high school kids 25 bucks to cover a football game, a task from start to finish that requires at least five hours at a minimum. That's $5 an hour, less than a third of our state-mandated minimum wage. And they act like they're doing the kid a favor.

And this same paper keeps its paper-carriers at arm's length, insisting they remain as woefully underpaid independent contractors instead of actual employees.

When employees are let go, are they treated with dignity, given a fair severance, a letter of recommendation, counseling and information on job training? Or are they simply shown the back door and asked to please not slam it behind them as they go?

Does your local newspaper actively promote democracy and democratic ideals or does it editorialize against things like climate change, vaccinations, diversity, equity and inclusion?

Does it censor letters to the editor or does it truly provide an open and honest forum where all points of view are both welcomed and published?

Not all local newspapers, but many, are just like hamburger stands. They exist only to make a profit.

If they could make more money selling pizza, they would.

Which is quite the irony, since a number of journalists at these same newspapers deliver pizza in their spare time to try and make ends meet.

So, it's best to know who and what you're dealing with before you genuflect at the altar of local journalism.

You may find a facade, not facts.

And you might not like what you learn.

You can reach me at bobdunning@thewaryone.com