EDITORIAL: We are here for you always, but remember, we are people too

Have you ever wondered why newspapers are named using words like star, nationalist, guardian, standard or echo?

These words represent values like truth, illumination, sovereignty, reflection and protection.

They are symbols on banners we can fight under for the world we want to live in.

Journalists know this. When you write for a paper, you are part of that paper. If you leave, it will be public knowledge and retired journalists always come back in some way or another.

When we die, we will be in the news.

And, it is not just us.

When you pick up the paper, it is a point in your day or week.

When you need help, you have spoken to everyone you can, and you are tired of fighting, you come to us.

Sometimes, you are just a proud mother who wants your kid’s picture in the paper.

But there is so much you don’t see.

You don’t see the planning from early on in the week, the late nights, the two, three, four checks that you spelled that person’s name right.

You don’t see the mad rush to confirm the breaking story and change the front page before the print deadline.

The young journalist, trying to do all that while learning.

The Tipperary Star and The Nationalist have a long history of public service journalism.

There is rarely a council sitting we don’t make. Even with small teams, court reporting is strong.

Protests are attended, AGMs, public meetings and service opening events.

None of that is by accident.

Many publications struggle to keep up with what locals are up to and juggle courts and councils.

The national press does Trojan work, but after they collect their quotes, they go home.

We don’t. We are already here.

There is always one more call for a local issue or someone who didn’t appreciate our tone last week.

So, when you meet us at a protest or outside the courthouse, when your email has not been answered within an hour of sending or your event not covered, remember the person behind the print.

We are trying to live up to our values, to be a light or a listening ear, an independent voice for the truth, every version of it.

We are here for you always, but, we are not values, we are people trying to do a job.