LETTER: Local journalism is essential for a healthy community and democracy

Dear Editor: I write to say that I continue to appreciate the Sarnia Journal as the epitome of quality in local journalism and its essential role in a healthy community […]

Dear Editor:

I write to say that I continue to appreciate the Sarnia Journal as the epitome of quality in local journalism and its essential role in a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Essentially, you provide excellence not only in balancing  local challenges but also in  reflecting of local achievements amongst individual citizens, community organizations, and dynamic businesses. These are stories that highlight  community character, energy, and identity, that allowing us all to feel like we belong, and that we can be proud of Sarnia-Lambton and its many remarkable citizens.

You help us feel  like we matter, that we can male a difference, and that we can be well-informed about others, and respect them for who they are.

If our only exposure were to national news outlets, it would be so easy to feel like what really matters is always "out there" somewhere, and that we in our own community are of no real significance. We could feel so very isolated.

I commend you for building a real awareness of our identity, our strength of character, and our potential as caring citizens.

Local journalism faces tremendous hurdles in just trying to survive, but your role in helping community flourish is an essential component of maintaining a strong Canadian society.

Do keep up your critical commitment to all of us, to healthy journalism, and to Canada itself.

Bob Sutton