In our community, the newspaper serves as a foundation of informed citizenship, diligently reporting the news that keeps the public aware and engaged.

Over our 35 years at the Mountain Citizen, we have encountered complaints from various individuals, including citizens, public officials and political factions who have found themselves or their associates spotlighted in our coverage due to their activities. Rather than reflecting on their actions, some individuals have blamed the newspaper for their notoriety and have gone about spreading hatred toward us and even our family members.

We wish to clarify this week that our role has never been an easy one in this community.

Most understand that the newspaper does not create news; it reports it. When someone commits a crime, faces indictment, or participates in public governance, those actions become matters of public record and interest. The newspaper has a duty to our readers to cover these events, providing transparency and fostering accountability within our community.

Many misguided individuals have set out to deflect blame onto the press, detracting from the real issues at hand: the actions that led to news coverage.

The newspaper has not been and will never be the reason for someone’s notoriety. That responsibility lies squarely with the individuals involved.

Blaming the newspaper for its reporting is like blaming a mirror for reflecting your image. The information in a news report reflects the actions taken by individuals; it is not a fabrication by the press.

It is futile to disparage the messenger and spread personal hatred. It does nothing to detract from the newspaper’s purpose.