Rightly, there is an adversarial relationship between a local publisher and elected officials. Shouldn’t be rude or disrespectful. One side or both are failing if the relationship becomes intensely, negatively personal.
But there ought to be some tension there as elected and appointed leaders go about their work and reporters and editors do the work of holding officials accountable.
In our experience at Growing Community Media, there’s usually room for mutual admiration when everyone involved has reasonable confidence in why they are doing the work while also leaving their egos at the door. Doesn’t always happen but insecure egotists are the exception.
The evidence is so clear that towns and neighborhoods thrive when there is strong community journalism at work. The debates are more compelling when they get aired openly. More people vote when they’re following the local news and have a sense of what elected officials are about. Spending is constrained and government projects go more smoothly when the press is actively observing.
To prove our point, we asked a batch of now former electeds their thoughts on how their communities benefitted from having independent journalism in their towns.
Here are a few of the responses we received.
Ben Sells
Former president of Riverside
“As an elected official, you need honest, independent journalism to hold your work up to you, providing you a perspective from outside your own. Journalism is critical to good government because it provides a broader context that is sometimes missed in the push for new initiatives.”
Simone Boutet
Former Oak Park village trustee
“As a former elected official, I am passionate about maintaining a healthy democracy. Independent local media play a critical role in this by keeping citizens informed so they can participate in their government. Informed citizens are essential to a healthy democracy.”
Sean Blaylock
Former Forest Park school board member
“An increased awareness of my community created motivation and inspiration on how to serve the residents of my village.”
John Scully
Former Riverside village trustee
“The RB Landmark provides coverage of local news that keeps all of us informed about what is happening in Riverside from questioning local board decisions to providing items of local activities in the neighborhood.”
John Scully
Former Riverside village trustee
“The RB Landmark provides coverage of local news that keeps all of us informed about what is happening in Riverside from questioning local board decisions to providing items of local activities in the neighborhood.”
