The Maine Trust for Local News claims to preserve strong, independent journalism, but recent actions suggest otherwise. Rather than investing in quality reporting and supporting local initiatives, the Trust seems more focused on cost-cutting and consolidation at the expense of the communities it serves.

A glaring issue is the overemphasis on the Portland Press Herald, which increasingly dominates the Trust’s publications. While Portland is Maine’s largest city, it does not represent the entire state. Rural towns, coastal communities, and inland counties often see their issues sidelined. Meanwhile, newspapers like the Morning Sentinel, Kennebec Journal and Sun Journal face significant cutbacks, further diminishing local coverage.

Local news is about more than headlines — it’s the fabric of a community, covering school board meetings, small businesses and local politics. Consolidating newspapers under a statewide model strips smaller towns of their identity and voice. Readers are left with generalized coverage that fails to reflect life outside Maine’s largest cities.

If the Maine Trust for Local News truly believes in its mission, it must invest in all communities, prioritize meaningful local coverage and move beyond profit-driven decision-making. Strong local journalism requires more than a corporate approach; it demands genuine commitment to the people and stories that shape Maine.

Camden Jalbert
Lewiston