Democracy demands constant vigilance

In a recent letter to the editor, the Rev. Mark Harris stated, "All politics is local." He is not wrong. Local protests, now a weekly occurrence in the Cape Region, have sparked debate over whether each one should receive coverage in the Cape Gazette. Ironically, much of the discussion surrounding these events is taking place on Facebook – a platform whose commitment to accuracy and democracy is, at best, questionable.

These social media conversations have sparked letters to the editor, with some advocating for increased coverage of the weekly protests and others supporting the Cape Gazette's commitment to a local focus. While it is true that all news is local, not all local news receives coverage. According to an October 2024 report by Axis, "An uptick in newspaper closures this year has left more than half of the nation's 3,143 counties – or 55 million people – with just one or no local news sources where they live."

As a hyper-local community newspaper, we believe we are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact through our coverage. Eternal vigilance over our democracy is essential at all levels of government. While our country is fortunate to have many strong national news organizations, the sharp decline in local journalism continues to erode connections between neighbors.

We appreciate that our readers regard us as having the influence to take on the federal government. This speaks volumes about the strength of our brand and the reach of our voice.

Our mission statement reads: "Our mission is to deliver exceptional local journalism that informs, engages and strengthens the communities we serve. Through transparent reporting and fair, balanced oversight, we hold power accountable while celebrating the people and places that make our communities unique. Our goal is to be deeply embedded in local life, fostering a shared sense of identity and connection. In doing so, we serve as an essential thread in sustaining a vibrant, well-functioning local democracy."

With that in mind, we will continue to prioritize in-depth, local coverage – which, at times, will include federal policies that directly impact our communities – to ensure the Cape Region has unparalleled access to local news for years to come.