I wish to share these observations with my community because I believe they are valid. I know they are important.
The French philosopher Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, 1694–1778) was at the heart of the Enlightenment, a movement that championed freedom – of expression, speech, religion, association, language, lifestyle, and thought.
Local newspapers uphold these values.
Their decline is yet another threat to the spirit of the Enlightenment. They document our lives with objectivity and diligent investigation, offering what hearsay and gossip cannot – reliable, relevant information about our own communities. While multinational media cover global events, they do not tell us what happens on our streets.
Local newspapers also provide a space for public discourse, strengthening freedom of expression. Without them, that freedom is diminished.
Beyond their role in informing the
public, they have long been incubators of great literature. Writers such as Alexandre Dumas, Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe all saw their work first published in local newspapers. These publications nurture both culture and creativity.
Voltaire wrote, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Publications like the Pontiac Journal uphold these ideals – freedom of speech,
clarity of information, and a platform for diverse voices.
Local newspapers are not free. They are priceless.
The Latin phrase Necessitas non habet legem – necessity knows no law – rings true. The voices of Voltaire and the Enlightenment remind us daily that we need freedom of expression. We need informed, engaged
communities.
We need local newspapers. Now more than ever.
Stephen Lloyd
Gatineau (Aylmer Sector)