Dear Readers,

Since I started publishing my own community newspapers almost 30 years ago, I have been suspected or accused to be biased with the content of my publications. Some readers thought that I was a socialist or even a communist, because I published articles or columns which were written by left-leaning authors, and others thought that I am liberal or conservative. Well, maybe I am all of the above, although it is expected from a newspaper publisher and editor to be “neutral”, but what the heck is neutral? As a professional journalist, I should try my best not to use “the power of the word” to be one-sided with my reporting, but do my homework and be fair. We are living in an era where many people think that they are journalists, because they have a smartphone and can post anything on “social media”, no matter if it is true or “fake news.” It is my duty to tell the whole story, whether I like it or not, but I have also the right to express my own personal opinion on controversial issues. I believe in freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right in a democratic society, but I draw the line when it comes to extreme opinions, racist remarks, and other forms of discrimination. There is no room for hate in my newspapers, and I put any hate mail where it belongs: in the trash!

‍Arnim Joop 
Publisher & Editor
mwmosaic@telus.net