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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 5, 20 18 | 6 The Georgetown Independent & Free Press, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corpora- tion. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 ABOUT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadiancham- pion.com or call 905-234-1019. CONTACT US VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague General Manager Steve Foreman Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Regional Managing Editor Chris Vernon Regional Managing Digital Editor Robyn Wilkinson Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison WHO WE ARE OPINION Democracy requires informed citizens. Journalism has long been considered an important force in government and key to the functioning of a democracy itself. Scottish philosopher, writer, essayist, translator, historian, mathematician, and teacher Thomas Carlyle, in 1841, wrote: "Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters' Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all" (On Heroes and Hero Worship). It's hard not to feel it's a profession that's under at- tack, on the world stage, and in the least, in peril closer to home. On June 28, four journalists and a sales associate were killed and two others injured when Jarrod Ramos allegedly opened fire inside the offices of a Maryland newspaper. Ramos, who has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, had a long, history with the newspaper that included a lawsuit and years of ha- rassment. The Capital Gazette is a community newspaper, just like the one you are reading now. As journalism contin- ues to receive hit after hit it is an inspiration that Ga- zette staff put out an edition the next day. And while the suspect's beef was with the targeted newspaper, it's a troubling incident nonetheless consid- ering the attack followed months of verbal and online attacks on the "fake news media" from politicians, among them U.S. President Donald Trump. Journalism finds itself at a crisis point - munici- palities continue to lose their local news sources, major newspapers and television stations are losing staff, and the industry scrambles to find ways of maintaining revenue and holding public trust and interest. Last week, news broke that a newspaper that's served Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley for 163 years is down to its final month of operation. Postmedia will close the long-serving daily paper with the last edition slated for July 28. "We are seeing the death of local news across this country at an ever-accelerating rate," said Paul Morse, president of Unifor Local 87-M, the union that repre- sents some of the affected staff. The newspaper industry is being battered by digital disruption, as advertising dollars once spent in local newspapers are sucked out of the country by foreign tech giants Google and Facebook, says Unifor. It's time we take action. News is not only critical to democracy, but to the health of communities. Let's do what we can to preserve and bolster this vital industry. The pen is still mightier than the sword. Long live the fourth estate CAShh thanks Halton Hills residents and volunteers Cancer Assistance Ser- vices of Halton Hills would like to express their sin- cere gratitude to the resi- dents of Halton Hills and local businesses for their continued support during our April Give Where You Live campaign. Every year we count on the generosity of this com- munity to help us help those living with cancer. We would also like to thank all of our amazing and ded- icated volunteers - can- vassers, walkers, team cap- tains, team leaders, mall volunteers, preparation volunteers and everyone who helped us make this campaign such a great suc- cess. It takes a village, and we cannot do this without them! We are thrilled to an- nounce that our 2018 cam- paign raised over $96,000. All of the money raised during the campaign and throughout the year goes directly to helping our cli- ents in Halton Hills. Once again, thank you, and have a wonderful, safe summer. Cancer Assistance Ser- vices of Halton Hills She's thankful abor- tions legal, safe says retired nurse I'm an old lady who, as a nurse 60 years ago, worked in a ward of unmarried pregnant girls, who upon discovering their pregnan- cy, tried to abort the fetus and lost their own lives in the attempt (one being a good friend). Later, I volunteered with Planned Parenthood and, after that, worked in an abortion clinic for sev- eral years. Then, I started the birth control clinic at Toronto General Hospital. What is the solution when your teenage son has, through possible igno- rance, impregnated his girlfriend? What about those living with developmental disa- bilities, who can be preyed upon, or the 16-year-old girl living on the street, or those who were raped? What about the woman abusing alcohol who will deliver a shrieking, dam- aged infant, or, for the le- gion of women who will give birth with no ongoing support for a child? I have seen all these dur- ing my career as a nurse - and many more. The world is more imperfect than one cares to imagine. One may imagine solu- tions but these will not give our children a fair chance for a full and rewarding life. Every child should be a wanted child, as is the mot- to for Planned Parenthood. I am thankful that today abortions are legal and safe, performed in a hospi- tal or clinic by caring, spe- cialized doctors, who also deliver counselling and followup care... Nancy Snelgrove, RN, BASc (nursing education) l MORE ONLINE Read all our published letters at theifp.ca • EDITORIAL • • LETTERS & COMMENTARY •