Among the oldest continuously published newspapers in Colorado, the Rio Blanco Herald Times is in dire straits due to a lack of sustainable income and announced that the paper would close on Oct. 26 unless a sustainable source of income can be realized. [Ed. Note: Thanks to the generosity of the community, the HT has received enough donations to continue publication for at least another six weeks while we configure a long-term mechanism for sustainability.]
This is truly an unprecedented emergency that deserves rapid and comprehensive support of every resident of our county and community residents served by this venerable and renowned publication. The Rio Blanco Herald Times was recently recognized as the top weekly small community newspaper by the Colorado Press Association with individual awards to the editor and publisher and her extraordinary staff. Just as our citizens come to the aid of their neighbors and friends in times of crisis, so too must we come to the aid of Niki Turner and her devoted family and staff.
The Meeker Herald and more recently the Rio Blanco Herald Times is literally the repository of all of the historic pioneers, founders, native American indigenous people, events, that accurately preserve the rich history of Rio Blanco County to the present day. Very few small rural communities have such a treasure trove of comprehensive history and that legacy must be preserved and continued into the future at all costs.
Founded by James Lyttle in 1885 and continued by his son Richard G. Lyttle, and subsequently by K. James Cook and other editors and publishers, most recently, Niki Turner and her family, the vital weekly publication has covered the news and events of Rio Blanco County residents and organizations with great thoroughness, in depth and well-documented investigative reporting and concurrent recognition and celebration of the lives and accomplishments of youth, adults and pioneers and their organizations and communities throughout the county. A plaque dedicated to Richard G. Lyttle as editor and publisher states simply “many years he spoke for us, leading without malice.” Accordingly, the tradition must continue for the sake of our citizens and our posterity.
It is often said that you never deeply miss someone or something that is an accepted part of your life until you lose that precious individual, resource or possession. In short it is easy to take such vital resources for granted, without realizing just how vitally important they are as an intrinsic and essential component of the fabric of our society.
Renowned former President Thomas Jefferson served as a contributing author of the Constitution, as well as a gifted scholar, statesman and politician. Jefferson recognized the vital importance of “the Fourth Estate”in the governance of a Democratic Constitutional Republic on behalf of the sovereign citizens of our Nation. Under our Constitution, Jefferson wrote in 1800, “The people, not the government, possess the absolute sovereignty … the press has exerted a freedom in canvassing the merits and measures of public men … On this footing the freedom of the press has stood; on this foundation it yet stands.”
Moreover, President Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg address further described our nation as having a “government of the People, by the people, and for the people, which shall not perish from the Earth….
While the Constitution established the executive, legislative and judicial branches, the phrase “Fourth Estate” reflects the unofficial but widely accepted role the news media play in providing citizens with information they can use to check government power.
As the Fourth Estate in American democracy, journalism informs and educates the public, while simultaneously acting as a watchdog for elected officials.
The very relationship the press and the government have is something extraordinarily unique and a distinction in democracies from dictatorships and authoritarian regimes seen around the world.
While journalism plays various roles in society, perhaps its most important is how it serves as a bridge of information from the government to the common citizen.
American journalism has been bringing vital information to the public since the beginning of the nation in 1776. From local offices to the highest positions in the country, journalists have been there to cover the good, the bad and even the ugly. To many, journalism is considered to be so significant that it acts as the fourth branch of government.
In many ways, it serves as a balance of power in a democracy. It keeps elected politicians in check and holds them accountable for their actions while in office. It also prevents anyone from gaining too much power, as the press is free to criticize anyone in a governmental role.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Kirsten Widner of the University of Tennessee talked about the importance of journalism relating to the American government.
“From the very beginning of this country, the framers of the constitution saw the free press as a really important part of having a democracy,” Widner said. “They enshrined in the First Amendment the freedom of the press to make sure that there was a forum for the sharing of information and open debate that would lead to informed citizenry capable of governing itself.”
It is safe to say that the Founding Fathers knew the importance of journalism early on and knew that by encouraging freedom of speech, a successful and thriving nation would be born.
In addition, journalism and the media industry as a whole have continued to evolve rapidly. The advancement of technology, such as television and the internet, has allowed information to be released to the public at unprecedented rates. Due to these advancements, journalism has undergone an extensive evolution to keep up with ever-changing technology.
“While the dynamics are different, the importance is still the same. I think it’s always been a critically important part of our democracy,” Widner said.
One thing that is important to realize is how the credibility of the media climate is ever-changing and how it undermines the position of journalists. With so many outlets to find information from, it becomes increasingly harder to distinguish facts from opinions.
Political science professor Anthony J. Nownes, who specializes in the American government, talked about the importance of being aware of this issue in today’s climate and how it’s important to be aware of what the media is presenting, as well as its intentions.
“People often have a difficult time separating what is and what is not good journalism. Journalism is designed to be both fact-based and opinionated. People must learn how to distinguish between the two,” Nownes said.
Journalists have a responsibility to report the truth in our government and report the facts to the public. This is a role that is upheld by journalists across the country and determines the stability of the credibility and legitimacy in their writings.
From informing and educating to acting as a helping hand in the balance of power, journalism is a vital aspect of a democratic society. The media industry will forever play a dynamic role in government as it continues to evolve.
BY ROBERT D. AMICK
Well written and I totally agree!