A job in news media isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Some may even call me crazy for leaving a 12-year career to run a local news organization.

My belief in the importance of local newspapers and local media in general was built at a young age.  As a child, I looked forward to having a newspaper with new pictures and articles (even if I struggled sometimes to understand the content). 

I loved hopping in the car and turning on local radio stations to hear my favorite DJs playing hit songs and commentating about events around our small town.

As I grew older, the range of sources to consume news grew as well.  News anchors like Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather brought to my attention bigger worldly issues and their reputation as trusted news sources preceded them. 

Our role as media members, whether local or national coverage, remains the same.  We are to inform our communities, hold those in power accountable, and foster a sense of community.  A democracy depends on those of us in local media reporting on the issues and individuals that shape our communities.  Research shows that without local media in rural areas you can count on less voting and less government accountability. 

A lot has changed when it comes to media in 2025.  Buzzwords like ‘fake news’ have made it easy for media at all levels to become targets for personal attacks.  Social media has allowed voices whether right or wrong and for better or worse to boldly proclaim anything on their minds with little to no repercussion.

A lot too has changed in the civility and accountability of our elected officials. Pre-2016 it was uncommon to see political opponents disparage each other to sway public opinion.  I remember Senator John McCain shutting an audience member down for repeating a lie about his political opponent Barack Obama.  McCain famously said, “No ma’am, he’s a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.” 

But those sentiments aren’t so common these days. Whether it be the change in political climate or change in society in general, it has become commonplace for political rivals and in general anyone with differing opinions to take things too far.

In my four years with The Manchester Times, I’ve seen a shift when it comes to civility and accountability.  I’ve seen and heard threats made against me, my employees, our cars and office due to coverage we’ve approached by community members, local elected officials, and self-proclaimed watchdogs.  We’ve also won awards for that same coverage for our public service and investigative journalism.  That’s exactly why we are here.  It isn’t always comfortable, and it often isn’t pretty, but our job is to inform.  We are to have our recorders on hand at all times, ready to grab the oftentimes looked over part of a meeting or interview.  We strive to get it right every time, but no one is perfect. When we miss the mark, we hold ourselves accountable and so does the community we serve whether it’s a call, a letter, or the ever-popular social media comment.

Sheriff Chad Partin recently said that elected officials should be held to a higher standard, and I agree with him.  The words and actions of our elected officials should be made with dignity, civility and when needed, met with accountability.  I applaud anyone that can apologize and own their mistakes, but I also believe in the adage ‘the apology should be louder than the disrespect’.

Just as we would tell our children who are navigating social media for the first time, think before you press send… the internet is forever. I implore everyone to think about the things that are being said, either on social media or at a committee meeting, or casually in conversation.  Hold yourselves accountable before you press send but be ready for accountability to find you after you do.