Government-subsidized news

Sun., Feb. 23, 2020

I had more than a few minutes of concern recently about the state of early civics education in the public schools when I read a letter to the editor some months since advocating government subsidies of struggling newspapers. Good grief.

I recall learning in sixth-grade civics about not only the branches of federal, state and local governments, but the importance of a free press and which amendment to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution protected my speech and that of the press. Not to mention that of the letter writer.

That’s just what the taxpayers need. Newspapers controlled by the government and dependent upon the party in the majority on an appropriations subcommittee. Thank God for the bipartisan Nethercutt Civics Foundation.

Judith Maibie

Spokane

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: editor@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-3815
Phone: (509) 459-5430