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Re: “U.S. Postal Service squeezes the free press” [April 18, Opinion]:
Kudos to The Seattle Instances for opposing steep charge will increase proposed by the US Postal Service.
The Instances reviews price hikes for mailing newspapers the previous two years already whole almost 24%, a tough hit for any trade, however particularly tough for newspapers, that are experiencing maybe the worst of instances. Compounding the issue is the newspaper-carrier scarcity that has led to extra publishers resorting to mail supply.
As The Instances famous, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others acknowledged the important worth newspapers supplied our younger democracy and took steps to make sure Individuals far and large had prepared entry to the essential info the publications supplied.
A latest examine by the League of Ladies Voters of Washington underscores the importance of entry to info that newspapers historically have provided, together with particulars about choices by metropolis councils, college trustees, county councilors and state lawmakers. Accountable newspapers additionally assist residents make knowledgeable choices on the poll field. What’s extra, newspapers are key autos for disseminating correct public well being info and holding watch on authorities spending.
In line with the League examine, Washington State College professor Benjamin Shors labels the newspaper disaster not a journalism downside, however a democracy downside.
Dee Anne Finken, Vancouver
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