I grew up with the local newspapers being a part of my life. My parents subscribed faithfully so they could catch up on community events, county information and to find out about births, marriages and deaths involving the people we knew. Newspapers laid on our kitchen table or living room coffee table until everyone had a chance to read them. Oftentimes what we read was discussed at the dinner table. To this day, my parents are avid readers of three newspapers.
I have always been a subscriber to the Hutchinson Leader. I have always read it thoroughly as I felt it was important to read the articles and information to better understand the community, the people who serve it and what was happening. Yes, I even read the fine print items with foreclosures, police reports and court proceedings.
I am a news junky. Besides reading newspapers and magazines, I watch it on TV at noon, 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. I also surf the internet. Out of all that access to information, I find it is when I sit down with the hard copy newspaper or magazine, that I can focus in best with what is presented to me. I absorb the content, reflecting and thinking what is said, not just skim to see if I want to read it or not.
That is what I find is happening when I surf the internet. I feel something is pushing me to keep moving through the content, not really wanting me to take it all in. The ads —which I can basically ignore on the printed page — are jumping around saying “look at me, look at me” or blocking the script I want to read when online. I can feel the pull to scroll the whole time, grappling to concentrate on the subject matter. The printed material on the other hand, provides me with a more peaceful, relaxed experience.
I also don’t trust the material on the internet as well as I do on the printed page. Print journalism has standards and rules they’ve had to follow since our country was established. The internet has tech people and entrepreneurs interpreting what is legitimate content or not. I fear with AI now entering the picture things are really going to get distorted. Anyone read George Orwell’s “1984”?
I am sad and concerned with the future of local news with the closing of our newspapers. Who will tell your stories, your triumphs, your achievements? Who will promote your business, local theater productions, music concerts, art and local sports? Who will try to relate big issues like COVID, homelessness and daycare that are just as much a part of the local community as a big city? Who will help you understand health care and senior living options in your community so you make knowledgeable decisions for yourself or a loved one? There are so many more things to learn, understand and share about Hutchinson and Litchfield. If there isn’t a newspaper to let you know, who will?
I have enjoyed my year-plus as a freelance reporter for both the Hutchinson Leader and Litchfield Independent Review. It has been a privilege to share your stories. I have considered myself a scribe, listening, taking notes and a lot of pictures to try to accurately convey your narrative in a sensitive manner. Thank you for allowing me to do so. It has been a pleasure.
Good luck Hutchinson and Litchfield!
