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The press is the only profession specifically named and protected in the United States Constitution. And that’s because our founders knew it was inextricably linked to the success of our states, our country, and our young republic.
Yet, most people’s experience with the news lately has been terrible. Extreme financial pressure has led to fewer trusted local reporters and diminished local reporting, while national media — especially cable news — has gotten louder and more divisive.
Many people are tuning out, turning away, or worse, vilifying journalism as the enemy. Yet regardless of our political affiliations, we pledge allegiance to one shared country, and the future of that country is inextricably linked to the future of a free press.
So what are we to do in this pivotal moment?