I recently read Paul Choiniere’s column, “Is the age of newspaper opinions nearing an end?,” (June 26). I too enjoy reading conflicting opinions. It gives you the opportunity to hear/read both sides of a topic before drawing your own conclusion. The column is really a sad but honest assessment of losing local newspapers altogether.

Freedom of press is essential in keeping a democracy. Why? Because it provides the pros and cons to the people. Countries that do not have freedom of press (democracy) control what is promulgated on/in newspapers, televisions, radios, and phones. When a country loses its democracy, freedom of press is taken away.

When our President said the media is the enemy of the people, I thought, what direction does he want our country to go? He lost my vote for reelection, and I placed him in the category of an authoritarian. I do not watch a lot of TV but watching Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN, you can hear conflicting opinions. At times they are humorist and depressing in expressing their opinions.

I applaud Choiniere, and I thank him for his service as a journalist to preserve our freedom of press and our democracy.

Stephen Snyder

Groton