‘Let’s talk’ about supporting paper

To the editor:

I just finished reading the editorial from Thursday, Aug. 16, headlined “Democracy Requires Press Freedom.”

Let’s begin our conversation with “Let’s talk” about how we can help to support and maintain an independent newspaper in Portland, Indiana.

Let’s talk about spreading the word about the quality of The Commercial Review, encouraging readership, informing new residents of the area about subscription and working with the staff by sharing our feedback on stories and issues.

We may not be able to “open” some closed minds, but we can at least try to leave the door “ajar.”

There always needs to be somewhere a person can go to find relevant articles on critical issues that are happening in the world; otherwise, Portland could become a closed, provincial town. It is more important to hear all sides of an issue whether we agree or disagree. 

There are some things everyone would agree on: that our children need to be safe, our elders cared for and our families protected. The Portland community engenders love and pride, but we also need access to what is happening in the world around us. We are capable of making our own decisions once we have the facts.

Residents of Portland and the surrounding area must join in supporting our Constitutional right of freedom of the press. 

Censorship is looming upon us. If we take past freedoms for granted, we are in danger of losing the freedoms so valiantly won by those before us and losing the ability to function as a democracy.

Vivian Morehous

Portland