Who are we, what are we doing, and why are we doing it?
Who? We are a diverse group of seven individuals from the state of Ohio who value civil discourse, data and evidence-based information-gathering, fairness, and human collaboration to improve the state, the nation, and the world for the good of all.
What? We are creating a monthly newsletter on the Word Press platform. Each newsletter will cover one theme in depth, addressing the past, present, and future of the issue. Each newsletter will also feature a related book review. Each newsletter will be released the fourth Friday of the month, with preview capsules preceding the issue on the three Fridays before. Free and paid subscriptions will be available.
Why? We want to use our diverse skills and backgrounds to address the dearth of non-partisan, reliable, accurate information sources available to citizens who want to make up their own minds about significant issues.
First official issue The Information Landscape to be released April 25, 2025. Here’s a taste . . .
History of American Newspapers
News media has shaped American life for centuries. Early colonial papers like The Boston Gazette and Virginia Gazette played key roles before the Revolution. Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre fueled anti-British sentiment, though its framing was biased. This shows that politically motivated reporting is nothing new.
During the Revolution and Constitutional debates, newspapers influenced public opinion, with most supporting the new Constitution while others raised concerns about federal power. The Bill of Rights protected press freedom, making news a “fourth branch” of government.
In the early 19th century, newspapers catered to partisan audiences, often funded by political parties. Ohio’s Daily Ohio Statesman (Democrat) and Daily Ohio State Journal (Republican) reflected these divisions. Advances in printing and the telegraph in the late 19th century fueled mass circulation and Yellow Journalism, led by the New York World and the New York Journal, prioritizing sensationalism over facts.
The early 20th century saw a shift to independent, fact-based journalism. Print dominated until competition from radio, TV, and the internet eroded its influence. Today’s media polarization mirrors past divisions, but independent journalism offers hope. If readers demand quality news, journalists will deliver fact-based news, to meet public demand.
Keep Cool and Think It Out
The Editors
Citizens Digest Staff
- Ruth McLatchie, Editor-in-Chief, Written Media
- Mike Gonzalez, Technical Editor, Writer
- Donald Wiggins, Chief Legal and Organizational Officer
- Daniel DeLuca, Chief Financial Officer
- Mark Harris, Operations Manager
- Elizabeth Frost, Circulation and Volunteer Manager
- Alicia Meckstroth, Contributor
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