A quote from President Reagan, referencing Jefferson, hits at the core of what it means to live in a functioning democracy. An informed citizenry isn't a luxury; it's the bedrock of liberty. And real journalism — fact-checked, accountable, courageous reporting — is the infrastructure that supports that informed public.
Unfortunately, the economics of journalism have been under siege for decades. As advertising revenue fled to tech platforms and subscriptions became harder to sell in a world hooked on free content, local newsrooms shrank, independent outlets folded, and clickbait filled the void. Now, many people are “informed” by viral videos, influencer takes, or algorithm-driven echo chambers.
Reliable information isn't free, even if it feels like it. Journalists invest time, skills, and often personal risk to uncover truth. If we don't support the work, whether through subscriptions, donations, or advocacy for public funding, we risk being left with infotainment at best, and dangerous misinformation at worst.
- Subscribe to your local news outlet.
- Support independent investigative reporting .
- Pay for journalism that challenges power, informs the public, and strengthens the community.
And resist the illusion that being fed content online, especially content that’s free and frictionless, is the same as being truly informed.