We need the investigative work of newspapers

Donald Trump must be very pleased with the 30 percent tariff, which has increased the cost of newsprint from $600 to $800 a ton. Newspapers have been the strongest critics of his administration by reporting facts that contradict lies issued by the White House. This new added cost of publishing a newspaper may well result in the remaining investigative reporters from all but a few major papers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times being laid off. Investigative reporters are the key to exposing corruption and other wrongdoings in the local, state and federal government. As newspapers lose subscribers and are faced with additional costs, layoffs continue, local events may be poorly covered and government demagoguery will go unexposed.

This must please the White House which takes great offense every time a newspaper takes issue with the Trump administration or reports administration statements that contain "alternate facts." Anything that weakens newspapers and their ability to state truth to power is a win for Donald Trump.

If you want to support the First Amendment to the Constitution, which unequivocally guarantees freedom of the press, subscribe to your local newspaper, and do not cancel your subscription when the price is increased a few cents to cover this newly imposed newsprint tariff cost.

Robert Frankel

Schaumburg