Read more about the article Why we need local journalism more than ever
The panel at the Times-Union of Albany HQ Nov. 15, 2023 (l-R: Kenneth C. Crowe II, Casey Seiler, Jon Schleuss, Judy Patrick, Margaret Sullivan, Mark Vinciguerra, and NY Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.)

Why we need local journalism more than ever

When Virginia became the 10th and final necessary state to ratify the Bill of Rights on Dec. 15, 1791, those founding fathers probably didn’t realize that 232 years later part of the first of those 10 constitutional amendments would still be so important … yet struggling to thrive. Throughout our nation’s history, freedom of the press has been a firm guidepost for our country and how the news media can and should be used to hold governments and others accountable to American citizens. And while this fundamental right has survived many threats…

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Commentary: Don’t mistake tweeting for activism

(Editor's note: This commentary I wrote appeared in the Times-Union daily newspaper of Albany, N.Y. on April 11, 2023) Sub-head: After a tragedy like a mass shooting, we post, share and break out the sad emoji. That's fine — but if we want things to change we can't stop there. Mark Marchand April 11, 2023 Has social media “venting” replaced meaningful action? The posts, reactions and tweets start within seconds after the latest tragedy. Within hours, the posts pick up speed, galloping through the Wild West that is social media. The latest…

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Read more about the article Op Ed: Starbucks backs its words with action
Starbucks in downtown Philadelphia

Op Ed: Starbucks backs its words with action

Direct response to crisis shows companies how best to react By Mark Marchand/For the Daily Gazette | April 27, 2018 Actions speak louder than words. Just ask Starbucks about the value of this old adage. The large coffee house company is driving home a lesson many of us learned when we were young. To learn about responsibility and accountability, teachers, mentors, parents, and others employed this old saying to help us understand what we needed to do when something went wrong. In situations ranging from merely uncomfortable circumstances with a friend or family member…

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