To the Editor:

Regarding the letter :“Imagine a future without local news; New York must enact the Local Journalism Sustainability Act”

Newspapers are supposed to be an independent enterprise serving as the public watchdog on behalf of the people. For government to give them tax credits is a serious conflict of interest. Any such support will always have strings attached, compromising journalistic integrity and objectivity. It leads to the possibility of the journalist becoming a propaganda agent for the state. Awarding tax credits give special preference unfairly over other businesses who could argue they deserve it too. It would force citizens to make up the difference of those credits by paying higher taxes. The Local Journalism Substantiality Act in effect would force all citizens to become newspaper subscribers, whether they want to or not.  

The author resorts to scare tactics to convince the reader that without traditional newspapers, a litany of terrible things will occur to the local economy and community. That newspapers are growing obsolete due to the shift to the internet does not justify propping up its dying corpse with government support via tax breaks.  Journalists need to adapt to the digital medium, or find another career, instead of begging for government subsidies to keep their jobs. The First Amendment gives people freedom to publish and express their views, but never guaranteed financial support by tax dollars to exercise it.  If the news is fit to print, people and advertisers will support it with their money. If not, don’t pass a law obliging them to do so without consent. 

Ron Shirtz
Rensselaer Falls