Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we join journalists around the globe in reaffirming a simple but powerful truth: the freedom to tell our stories — fully, honestly, and without fear — is essential to any functioning democracy.
At Women AdvaNCe, we believe that freedom means being able to ask hard questions, follow uncomfortable leads, and stand alongside community members whose voices have long gone unheard. It also means mentoring the next generation of journalists who will carry that responsibility forward.
This year, our team — including a group of sharp, passionate interns — has reported on stories that matter deeply to this community. We’ve explored the history and resilience of refugee Cambodian families, the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and the stories of those in need of Medicare and Medicaid. We’ve raised questions about access to mental health services, reproductive justice, health care, workers’ rights, paid leave, and the consequences of systems that fail survivors. We’ve lifted the names and stories that larger outlets too often overlook.
As a publisher and longtime advocate for local journalism, World Press Freedom Day is also personal to me. It’s about defending the right to bear witness—not just in faraway conflict zones but right here in our towns, neighborhoods, classrooms, and boardrooms.
It’s about making space for young journalists to grow, question, and lead. Interns who have contributed fresh perspective and fearless energy to our newsroom, reminding us why this work still matters.
Even in a small, scrappy nonprofit newsroom, we know that press freedom isn’t just a global issue — it’s a local one.
So today, we recommit to telling the truth even when it’s hard. To mentor young reporters and storytellers, even when resources are thin. And to showing up again and again for the communities we serve.
Because every story matters. And so do the people who tell them.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
There are no comments
Add yours