“The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral, and social being.” These timely utterances by Thomas Jefferson have stood the test of time in relation to the impact of journalism on molding better-informed and responsible societies. While national and international media often tend to dominate, local journalism is too frequently underestimated; it forms vital bedrock of democratic accountability and meaningful public discourse at the community level. No other newsroom has a better capacity to amplify grassroots voices, unearth untold stories, and link communities with greater worlds.
My experience with the Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus, Georgia, particularly my 2001 interview with former President Jimmy Carter, illustrates the profound impact local journalism can achieve. What began as a conversation in the small, unassuming town of Plains, Georgia, blossomed into a global discourse, sparking critical conversations on leadership, policy, and the enduring responsibilities of those in positions of power.
In this article, I consider how that story resonated beyond its origins to reflect the transformative potential of local journalism in shaping the national and international narrative.
A Local Story That Captured Global Attention: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The words of Margaret Mead ring very true as one reflects on the transformative power of local journalism. On July 20, 2001, I had the distinct privilege of interviewing President Jimmy Carter at his home in Plains, Georgia. The encounter was as intimate as it was unassuming, mirroring Carter’s humility and unwavering accessibility. The two stories ran on the Ledger-Enquirer’s front page on July 24 and were followed up by a feature on July 29 with headlines “Jimmy Carter on George W. Bush: Disappointed” and “Honest Differences of Opinion.” I could hardly have guessed at the time just how far these pieces would fly.
Criticisms by Carter, which came with candor from then-President George W. Bush’s handling of Middle Eastern diplomacy to the contentious pull-out from the Kyoto Protocol, hit deep and reverberated. Major national and international outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, CNN, BBC, and many others, gave amplification to his words as they beamed spotlights on his reflections. What began as a conversation in a small Georgian town transcended its local roots, igniting global discourse on leadership, diplomacy, and environmental responsibility.
Their reach was a testament to the strength of thoughtful journalism. In addition to their publication, I was interviewed extensively by C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb for over half an hour, where I detailed the context and process of securing the interview. It also put me in front of Voice of America for an extended explanation of the significance of these statements by Carter and what such a journalistic journey meant for making them known to an audience across the world.
Local Voices Ripple: The interview remains a testament to what local journalism is capable of in elevating critical voices and firing up broadened conversations. Carter’s candid critique of US foreign policy not only challenged the conventions of the era but also opened up wider possibilities for audiences around the world to reimagine new standpoints on governance, accountability, and ethical leadership. His insights into diplomacy and care for the environment turned into slogans for activists, scholars, and policy thinkers, forming discourses that find their reverberations in today’s complex geopolitical scenario.
As Carter himself poignantly observed, “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” This philosophy is well reflected in his words during the conversation and pinpoints something which has remained behind the importance of local journalism as a vessel for truth, accountability, and transformational dialogue.
They may have begun in the quiet town of Plains, Georgia, but they exploded outward into every nook and cranny of this earth. It just serves to remind us that the smallest of stories with honesty and heft can make the biggest effects. Local journalism provides a connection between the personal and universal-a unique situation that has shaped global discussion and changed lives.
The Power of Local Journalism: This experience taught me the potential that lay in local journalism to effect change. Often branded as parochial and narrow in scope, a local newspaper is actually uniquely positioned to capture authentic voices and untold stories. They provide a platform for nuanced, grassroots perspectives that might otherwise remain unheard in larger media ecosystems.
It’s this dynamic that my interview with Carter epitomized. Nestled within Georgia history and in the origins of this country’s Carter, it worked because it was based on truth. An ability to speak directly to a subject mixed with the quality of local journalism provides windows to truths within specific areas, extending to other geographies.
From Local to Global: The international response to Carter’s statements showed how local journalism can give voice to critical perspectives, shaping public opinion and policy debate. Carter’s criticism of US foreign policy and environmental policy promoted debate in the academy, politics, and the public sphere. Scholars analyzed his comments on diplomacy and international relations, while environmentalists pointed out his criticism of the US pull-out from the Kyoto Protocol.
Far more important, though, it reconfirmed that local papers are not going anywhere: they will continue to be vehicles for speaking the truth to powers. Amidst an increasing deluge of digital news conglomerates, they have kept intact something very vital: perspective, detail, and a touch with a community they know. The stories feed belief-and go far deeper-so much more beyond those nearest neighbors for which it speaks.
A PLEA FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM: My interview with President Carter remains a powerful reminder of the impact of journalism that is truthful, principled, and in service to the public. The local newspaper is not limited by its geography; it is a catalyst for larger conversations that connect the dots between the local and the global.
As Jimmy Carter said so astutely, “A free press is the cornerstone of democracy, but with that freedom comes the duty to be fair and accurate.” Local journalism epitomizes this spirit and has always proved its unmatched capacity to amplify voices and evoke change beyond its origin. These stories often plant the seeds of national discourse and global understanding, proving that even the smallest of platforms can shape the world in profound ways.
Stories like mine have ripples and really outline urgent needs to support and preserve local journalism. It is in the protection of such stories that we actually celebrate democratic principles and give voices to those coming from all walks of life. As Edward R. Murrow once said, “To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; and to be credible, we must be truthful.” In valuing local journalism, we uphold the very fabric of democracy and reaffirm the power of storytelling to illuminate, connect, and transform.
Dr Serajul I. Bhuiyan Professor and Former Chair, Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, Savannah State University, Georgia, USA. sibhuiyan@yahoo.com