These are my top 10 reasons I am thankful, for you, my readers, and for public records laws.
Informed Public: Journalism and access to public records empower the residents of Lake Lure, Rutherford County, western North Carolina and beyond, with the information needed to stay informed about local events, policies, and issues, enabling them to make educated decisions.
Government Accountability: Journalism, supported by access to public records, serves as a critical check on government actions, holding officials accountable for their decisions and ensuring transparency in the democratic process.
Community Awareness: Through journalism and public records, the community gains awareness of social, economic, and environmental issues, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and encouraging collective efforts toward positive change.
Civic Engagement: Journalism encourages civic engagement by providing a platform for residents to voice their opinions, participate in community discussions, and actively contribute to the democratic process.
Transparency and Trust: Access to public records and transparent reporting build trust between the public and local institutions. It ensures that residents have a clear understanding of how decisions are made and resources are allocated.
Educational Value: Local journalism, often rooted in investigative reporting and analysis of public records, serves as an educational resource for residents, helping them understand the complexities of local issues and policies.
Community Building: Journalistic coverage and public records contribute to community building by fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose, promoting understanding among diverse groups, and encouraging collaboration on common goals.
Problem Solving: Through investigative reporting and the examination of public records, journalism plays a vital role in identifying and addressing challenges within western North Carolina, contributing to the community's ability to find effective solutions.
Preservation of Local History: Journalism, especially when rooted in extensive research and access to public records, helps preserve the historical narrative of western North Carolina, ensuring that the community's past is documented and understood.
Advocacy for Positive Change: Journalistic reporting, coupled with the information gleaned from public records, can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. It provides a platform for advocating for policies and practices that enhance the well-being of western North Carolina residents.
I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving. I couldn’t do my work without your help.
When journalists stop working because of eroding public records laws, or lack of funding, several significant consequences can arise, impacting both the media industry and society as a whole. Here are 10 reasons to be cautious:
Loss of Information Flow: Journalists are essential for gathering, verifying, and disseminating information to the public. When journalists stop working, there is a loss of the regular flow of news and information, leaving the public less informed about local, national, and international events.
Reduced Accountability: Journalists play a crucial role in holding governments, institutions, and individuals accountable by investigating and reporting on issues of public concern. Without active journalism, there may be a decrease in accountability, potentially leading to unchecked power and corruption.
Diminished Public Awareness: Journalism contributes to public awareness of societal issues, helping people understand complex topics, policies, and events. Without journalists, there's a risk that critical issues may not receive the attention they deserve, hindering public understanding and discourse.
Threat to Democracy: A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democratic societies. When journalists stop working, the foundations of democracy are weakened, as citizens may not have access to the information necessary for making informed decisions and holding leaders accountable through the electoral process.
Impacts on Public Discourse: Journalists contribute to the diversity of opinions and perspectives in public discourse. The absence of their voices can lead to a lack of diversity in information sources, potentially fostering an environment where misinformation and propaganda can thrive.
Erosion of Trust: Journalists play a crucial role in building and maintaining trust between the public and the media. When journalists stop working or face challenges, it can contribute to a decline in public trust in the media, making it more difficult for the public to discern reliable information from misinformation.
Economic Consequences: The media industry is an important economic sector that employs a significant number of people. When journalists stop working, it can lead to job losses, economic instability in the media sector, and a reduction in the diversity of media outlets, especially when independent journalists are not supported.
Underreported Issues: Journalists often cover stories that might not receive attention elsewhere, such as investigative pieces or stories affecting marginalized communities. When journalists are not actively working, these important issues may go underreported.
Limitation of Public Debate: Journalists contribute to public debate by presenting different perspectives on issues. The absence of their work can limit the diversity of voices in public discussions, leading to a narrower range of opinions.
Impact on Social Change: Journalists often play a role in advocating for positive social change by bringing attention to social injustices and advocating for reforms. When journalists stop working, this advocacy function may be significantly diminished.
In summary, the work that I do, and of journalists generally, is crucial for the functioning of a healthy democracy and an informed society. The absence of active journalism can lead to a range of negative consequences, affecting the flow of information, accountability, public discourse, and societal well-being.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure, NC area, Rutherford County, and western NC. It is free to read, but it is not free to produce. Please click on the button below to support my work.
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