Local journalism is indispensable. Through my years as a school principal in Manitou Springs and other communities, and now as a leadership coach, I’ve experienced firsthand its transformative power. It lays the groundwork for constructive community conversations.
The carefully written word, distributed locally, sparks vital engagement. Regardless of political leanings, local journalism unites us in a shared mission, bridging divides for communal empathy, neighborly care and human connection.
Effective local reporting counters rumors and equips citizens with the knowledge to broaden their horizons, enhancing their grassroots influence on democracy.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a defining challenge for public education, I’ve witnessed how corporate news echo chambers fueled local clashes of opinion. Bite-sized news consumption can transform civil discourse into ugly confrontations.
Yet, publications like the Pikes Peak Bulletin and many others nationwide offer deeper, click-bait-free reporting. Local journalists intimately understand their communities, forging accountability and trust.
They’re not just reporters, but neighbors you might meet at the grocery store. Local journalism simultaneously holds power accountable and nurtures community bonds. Although you may not always agree with the Pikes Peak Bulletin, you know the people behind it. And if you don’t, you can — because we live among you.
In the delicate fabric of democracy, local journalism threads the tapestry of opinions, encouraging us to be more connected and informed. My tenure as a principal in Manitou Springs School District 14 affirmed this truth.
Community meetings and the pages of the Pikes Peak Bulletin were my compass, guiding me to align with Manitou’s priorities and values. From navigating COVID responses to advocating for whole-child education, the reporting and editorials nudged me out of my point of view and into the hearts of those I served.
Continuously engaging with our community’s needs and concerns fueled my leadership growth. There’s nothing quite like discovering in the local paper that a decision you thought brilliant is deeply contested, shedding light on crucial perspectives you hadn’t considered.
Local journalism threads the tapestry of opinions.
Rather than regret these challenging moments, I always felt grateful.
Join the journey! Grab the Bulletin weekly or go all-in with a subscription. Spread the word, dive into the stories, tell us what you crave, challenge us, make us shine and, most importantly, keep the Pikes Peak Bulletin buzzing!
Every nod to local journalism plants the seeds of a true “of the people, by the people” government.
Chris Briggs-Hale was the principal of Ute Pass Elementary School for 11 years. Today, he is the chief executive officer of Waterfall Learning LLC, a leadership coaching firm in Colorado Springs.