National Newspaper Week aims to raise awareness of local media importance

Monday marked the first day of National Newspaper Week, and Canadians are being reminded of how important newspapers are in communities across the country.

“Newspapers have always been a vehicle for people in the community to have a dialogue, give differences of opinion and to have their voices heard,” said Southern Alberta News Group publisher Mike Hertz. “That’s extremely important in today’s day and age.

“Social media brings people information in a very personal way, but newspapers really serve to bring the community together, while offering a place for people to give their opinions and read about everything that is happening locally.”

Bob Cox, chair of the board of directors of News Media Canada, the national association that represents Canadian newspapers, says newspapers are as important as ever.

“The role of newspapers has never been so crucial,” he said. “Every day, newspapers work to bring Canadians from coast to coast to coast real, trusted, truthful news — which is as vital to democracy as clean air, safe streets, good schools and public health.”

Hertz says the reliability of newspapers is one of the things that makes them so important.

“People know that the news and opinions in the newspaper are legitimate — people have to put their names to it to get published,” he said. “On social media anyone can say anything — things can be way out there and even just made up — a lot of times people may not be using their real names.”

A campaign has started recently online around National Newspaper Week, asking people to sign a petition on the importance of newspapers.

It can be found here — www.newspapersmatter.ca