A Free Press Isn’t Free—It Depends on You

Today is World Press Freedom Day, and we’re reminded of something easy to take for granted: a free press does not sustain itself. It survives only when communities choose to support it.

As publisher of The Bradenton Times, Manatee County’s first online-only newspaper, I created this publication to help fill a growing gap in local coverage. Over time, many traditional outlets have reduced their reporting resources or shifted focus away from local government. The result is fewer reporters attending meetings, fewer public records requests, and fewer investigations into decisions that directly affect our community.

Local journalism plays a vital role in a functioning democracy. It informs voters, provides accountability, and gives residents the information they need to engage in civic life. Without it, decisions are made with less transparency—and with fewer consequences.

During the 2024 local election cycle, The Bradenton Times worked to inform voters through reporting, opinion, and candidate interviews. Our goal was simple: to provide readers with facts, context, and access to candidates’ own words so they could make informed decisions. That is the role a free press is meant to serve.

After the 2024 election cycle, The Bradenton Times was targeted by litigation filed by former county commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and a political consultant, relating to published content and editorial decisions. The case concerns published content and editorial decisions, and while certain aspects of the litigation have been dismissed, related claims remain pending. Regardless of outcome, defending such cases requires substantial time and financial resources—costs that can weigh heavily on independent local news organizations.

At the same time, the environment for local journalism has become more challenging. News organizations across the country are facing increased legal pressure, rising costs, and shrinking revenues. Even when lawsuits are ultimately unsuccessful, the expense of defending them can strain or overwhelm smaller outlets.

These pressures are not unique to our community. Press freedom advocates, including organizations like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, have noted a broader trend: legal and financial challenges can have a chilling effect on local reporting, particularly for independent outlets without large corporate backing.

At the local level, the stakes are especially high. When coverage declines, residents lose insight into issues like development decisions, environmental protections, infrastructure planning, and public spending. The less visibility there is, the harder it becomes for citizens to hold decision makers accountable.

That is why community support matters.

The Bradenton Times operates without a paywall. We believe access to local news should not depend on income. But that model only works if readers who value independent journalism choose to support it.

If you believe that local reporting, investigative work, and open access to information are worth preserving, there are simple ways to help:

• Subscribe voluntarily
• Make a one-time contribution
• Support local businesses that advertise with us

Each of these actions helps ensure that independent journalism can continue to serve this community.

A free press is not just a constitutional principle—it is a daily practice. It depends on reporters who ask questions, publishers willing to take risks, and readers who understand its value.

On this day that recognizes press freedom, consider what our community would look like without local news—and what it takes to ensure it remains.

Joe McClash is the publisher of The Bradenton Times. He is a Marine Corps veteran and served on the Manatee County Commission from 1990 to 2012.