Pay Herald reporters fairly, without quotas

Published 1:30 am Thursday, December 19, 2024

As a city councilman for Lynnwood, I feel compelled to voice my support for the Everett NewsGuild and the journalists at The Herald as they advocate for fair wages and protections against unreasonable story quotas.

The recent offer of a starting wage of $20.50 per hour is inadequate given the high cost of living in our region. Furthermore, linking wages to story production undermines the very essence of quality journalism. This approach threatens to prioritize quantity over the thorough, balanced, and well-researched reporting that our community deserves.

The journalists at The Herald play a critical role in informing our residents, contributing to public discourse, and holding our local government accountable. It is essential that they are compensated fairly and allowed to focus on producing high-quality work rather than meeting arbitrary quotas.

Community support is vital in this fight. I encourage all residents to stand with our local journalists to ensure they receive the fair treatment they deserve. A robust local news organization is essential for the health of our democracy and the well-being of Snohomish County.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Josh Binda

Lynnwood