During times of crisis such as what we are experiencing now, it is more vital than ever to have a local newspaper to keep us informed about our community, our city government, events in and around the area and other issues that are of concern to those living here.
Lately however, I am hearing more and more people crying about having to pay for a newspaper subscription to get this information. They follow the NDN’s Facebook page, then complain that they can’t read the articles. It’s as if they have forgotten that people do not work for free, supplies are not free, there are overhead costs, etc., involved in running any business.
They argue the information is vital and should be offered without charge. I would argue that groceries, food and fuel, along with essential services such as trash pickup, electricity, internet access and cell phone plans are just as if not more important than newspaper articles, yet you don’t see people demanding those products be free simply because we are in a crisis.
Wasn’t the information the paper provides vital enough before this crisis? If you absolutely cannot afford the few dollars a month to subscribe, which is about the same as a Netflix subscription, then that is not the fault of the newspaper. If you can afford a subscription but simply choose not to subscribe because you don’t feel the product is worth your hard-earned money, well then what are you complaining about?
John Moore
Newton