I write in response to Publisher Barry Reid’s fullpage letter from July 20.

Mr. Reid, you couldn’t be more right. In the age of instant news alerts, algorithm- driven headlines and social media feeds that never sleep, some might ask: Do we still need a local newspaper?

Here in Kingfisher – and in communities across Oklahoma – the answer is clear: we need it more than ever.

Local newspapers like the Kingfisher Times and Free Press serve a purpose the internet simply can’t replicate. While digital platforms flood us with national news, celebrity gossip and clickbait outrage, it’s our hometown paper that tells the stories that matter most to our daily lives.

From school board meetings to Friday night football, from city council decisions to community celebrations, local newspapers document the shared experiences that bind us together.

They also provide accountability. When public dollars are spent or local officials make decisions that affect taxpayers, it’s often the local paper that asks the tough questions.

A Facebook post or viral TikTok might generate knee-jerk reactions, but a well-researched article from a trusted local journalist ensures facts still matter. In a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire online, the role of a reliable, hometown newspaper as a source of truth is more important than ever.

Beyond news, local papers foster a sense of community identity. The Kingfisher Times and Free Press doesn’t just report on Kingfisher – it reflects it.

It’s the voice of our schools, our churches, our sports teams, and our small businesses. It’s where we announce weddings, honor the lives of those we’ve lost and celebrate the achievements of our neighbors.

Try finding that kind of local pride or personal connection in a national news app.

The people who have dedicated themselves to bringing us what we want to know and what we need to know deserve our true gratitude. People like Publisher Emeritus Gary Reid, Publisher Barry Reid, former Senior Editor Christine Reid and Managing Editor Michael Swisher are pillars of our community.

The internet hasn’t just changed how people read the news – it’s changed how news is funded.

Advertising dollars that once supported local journalism have been siphoned away by tech giants who neither know nor care about the places we call home.

That puts real pressure on small-town papers, even as their role becomes more vital.

So what can we do? First, we can subscribe. Subscriptions don’t just deliver news to your doorstep – they keep the presses running and reporters employed.

Second, we can support the businesses that advertise in the paper. They’re not just buying ad space; they’re investing in our community’s voice.

And third, we can speak up – just like I’m doing now – to remind others of the value of local journalism.

As someone who believes deeply in the future of rural Oklahoma, I can tell you this: broadband may be bringing high-speed internet to every corner of the state, but no amount of bandwidth can replace the role of our local newspaper, even as it transitions to a greater online presence.

Digital infrastructure is essential – but so is civic infrastructure. And papers like the Kingfisher Times and Free Press are a cornerstone of that. Long after the headlines on your phone disappear, the local paper will still be here – telling our stories, holding our institutions accountable and reminding us who we are as a community.

Let’s make sure it stays that way.

Sincerely, Mike Sanders Executive Director Oklahoma Broadband Office