LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: The importance of learning spaces

What a weird time we live in. We have the greatest access to information since the dawn of time, but the double-edged sword of the internet is that we also have the greatest access to misinformation since the dawn of time. 

Those two points are why it is vital more than ever that places of learning like schools, colleges, libraries, museums and other institutions focused on knowledge thrive. It’s also vital for us to engage with them as a community so that we are equipped to fight disinformation and prosper without false information infiltrating our community decision-making. 

As a newspaper editor, I see firsthand the challenges community members have in splitting up truth from fiction. Conspiracy theories run rampant online. Divisive and inaccurate political information is ingrained into the core of us and has led to identity politics rising more than our nation has seen in generations. Media literacy in the world starts to feel as though it’s as much a cryptid as Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster.  

Upon reviewing the discussions on our social media posts, I notice that many people lack a clear understanding of how laws are created in our state and nation. I see a distinct lack of historical knowledge and civic sense that baffles me. People not understanding the importance of Juneteenth; people not understanding the difference between embezzling and accounting errors; people not understanding the basics of the U.S. Constitution and how it applies to their daily lives.  

With that said, I believe that it is imperative that we double down on how we support our local schools, college, libraries and other repositories of vetted knowledge. As such, and with the mindset that it is a local newspaper’s duty to help improve literacy — particularly media literacy — in the communities the paper serves, the Columbia Basin Herald will be focusing our coverage on our local educational institutions, libraries and museums over the coming months.  

These stories will focus on the programs and benefits these institutions provide to us. From story times for children to workforce training programs to displays noting the contributions of our communities to this nation — we'll be hitting it all as much as possible. 

With that, I would encourage all of our readers to reach out and enjoy the facilities we have here in Grant and Adams counties. Swing into the Moses Lake Public Library — did you know they have a program where you can check out audiobooks for free — drop by the Grant County Historical Museum — open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday each week — or stop in at the Big Bend Community College commencement June 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Lions Field in Moses Lake.  

These institutions not only provide us with opportunities to learn and become better people, but they also teach us to discern between truth and misinformation. They provide gathering spaces for learning, to grow as people and to explore the width and breadth of the world we live in.  

None of these institutions worry about your political affiliation, race, religion, economic background or whether you put pineapple on pizza. They simply provide fertilizer for your brain and soul.  

Let’s get out and grow together. 

With appreciation for your readership and the wonderful community the Columbia Basin Herald — and our local libraries, schools, college and museums — serves. 

R. Hans “Rob” Miller
Managing Editor
Columbia Basin Herald
Basin Business Journal