Diane Grimm

Baden, Pa.

In a world of social media, viral videos and alternative websites, some have forgotten the immense value we get from newspapers. We rely on papers so-called “traditional media” not just to stay informed but to engage with our community and the world. Whether we’re reading news stories, opinion pieces or sports scores, newspapers keep us connected, entertained and educated in ways that other media just can’t match.

Facebook and other social media platforms may seem to offer free news, but their content is designed not to inform us but to keep us engaged so we see their ads. By tracking our clicks, their algorithms feed us information that aligns with our beliefs, reinforcing biases and containing us in tailor-made information silos. We drift further and further from the facts, becoming increasingly resistant to views that challenge our own. The news on social media is free — but you get what you pay for.

This election season, as passions run high, you’ll notice that we often are talking past each other. It’s not just because our opinions are different — it’s because the “facts” on which we base our opinions are drawn from entirely different realities.

That’s why newspapers remain essential. They aren’t perfect, but they provide carefully reported, fact-checked stories that strive for neutrality. They offer a forum for diverse opinions, helping us understand each other.

The price of a subscription is not only an investment in our own education, but also in our communities and our democracy.