Opinion: No need for hysteria just because Christians are getting in the news business

Ken Vance responds to critics alarmed by Christian-aligned ownership of two north Clark County news outlets. — Ken Vance responds to critics alarmed by Christian-aligned ownership of two Clark County news outlets.

🎧 Ken Vance on The Reflector Sale and Media Criticism

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance discusses the recent purchase of The Reflector Newspaper by Camden and Mac Spiller

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

I spent nine years of my life working at The Reflector Newspaper. I was hired in 2007 by then-owner Marvin Case, who to this day remains a dear friend and one of my cherished mentors in this industry. When Marvin sold The Reflector in 2010, he insisted that I replace him as editor. The new owners acquiesced to that request and I spent the next six years as the paper’s editor. Along the way, I worked with some amazing journalists and other professionals including Andi Schwartz (webmaster/graphic designer) and Heidi Case (administrator) who continue to be foundational members of Clark County Today.

Ken Vance

Since I was blessed by Clark County Today Founder David Madore almost 10 years ago in our then new adventure, I have continued to collaborate with personnel from The Reflector’s most recent owners, Chad and Corelee Taylor. The Taylors’ point person, and the editor of CT Publishing, is Eric Schwartz. He is a dear friend and one of the best journalists I’ve ever worked with in my decades in this profession.

That anecdotal information is provided to illustrate that I had more than a vested interest in this week’s announcement that Battle Ground businessmen Camden and Mac Spiller had purchased The Reflector. I care about the journalism industry in Clark County and I care deeply about this community. I’ve dedicated the past 39 years of my life to this industry in this community. I think I’ve earned the right to have a voice about this recent news.

A little background

Not so long after we established Clark County Today, I approached David Madore to discuss a potential proposal to purchase The Reflector Newspaper. At that time, it was still owned by LaFramboise Communications, who had purchased it from Marvin and Anne Case. We had a sincere interest in the purchase, but it didn’t happen.

Late last year, David and I revisited the idea of purchasing The Reflector before deciding that it was no longer the appropriate thing for Clark County Today. Thankfully, Camden Spiller and his brother Mac emerged as potential candidates to continue the 117-year local ownership of the coveted community newspaper. And this week, that transfer of ownership was announced.

Camden Spiller shares his vision

On the day his purchase of The Reflector was announced, Camden Spiller offered an explanation of his decision and a vision for the future, published by The Reflector and Clark County Today.

“My vision for Battle Ground has always been to make it an even better place to live, work and raise a family. As I mentioned in an article in The Reflector earlier this year, my family believes deeply in local ownership. With my wife’s family going back five generations in Clark County, our commitment to Battle Ground is also very personal. This is where we are choosing to raise our children, and where we hope our children and grandchildren can build their lives,’’ Spiller wrote.

“When I heard that the Taylor family was interested in selling The Reflector, I welcomed the conversation because we believe our community deserves local institutions owned by local people,’’ he added. “Our community has many things worth preserving; our local newspaper is one of those things.’’

Spiller reassured the community that he had no plans for a complete makeover of the paper.

“There is so much good about The Reflector that we don’t intend to change,’’ he said. “However, with any 117-year-old institution, there is a need for investment. We plan to take the next six months to assess how we can ensure that The Reflector can serve the north Clark County community for generations to come.

“My intent is for The Reflector to celebrate what is good without pretending everything is perfect. It should raise questions without tearing people down and give residents reliable information instead of leaving them with the kind of rumor-filled stories we see passed around social media. In many ways, we want to see The Reflector become more connected to life in north Clark County.’’

Reaction to the announcement

I’m not surprised the reaction from the community has been mixed. Despite Spiller’s assurances, there are those in Clark County who are attempting to sound the alarm, urging readers to not only question his intentions but urge caution that The Reflector will team with Clark County Today to control the narrative in our community.

“Clark County residents should be paying attention to who owns our local news and whose voices are being amplified,’’ read a statement posted on the Washington State 18th Legislative District Democrats Facebook page.

“As traditional newspapers struggle with shrinking newsrooms and paywalls, more residents are turning to free online sources for local information. That means the outlets that remain freely accessible have enormous influence over how our community understands local issues, elections, and public policy.

“Today, two of the most widely read local news sources in North Clark County, Clark County Today and The Reflector, are connected to individuals who have publicly aligned themselves with conservative political causes and viewpoints. Clark County Today was founded by former Clark County Commissioner David Madore, and The Reflector was recently acquired by Maddox (a company owned by the Spillers).

“Many readers have observed that coverage from these outlets frequently reflects and promotes narratives aligned with MAGA Republican politics, Christian nationalism, and culture-war issues. While every news organization has an editorial perspective, it becomes important to ask questions when a small number of owners and publishers have such a large influence over the information reaching a community.

“This is especially significant because these outlets are free and widely shared, while many alternative news sources are now behind paywalls or have reduced local coverage. For many residents, these publications may be their primary source of information about local government, schools, elections, and community issues.

“A healthy democracy depends on a diversity of viewpoints, independent journalism, and a well-informed public. No matter your political beliefs, we should all care about media concentration and understand who owns the outlets shaping public opinion in Clark County.

“Read critically. Verify information. Seek multiple sources. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, not when a single viewpoint dominates the conversation.’’

Heaven forbid, the Christians are coming!

There are several elements of that statement that beg for a response.

First, as far as whose voices are being amplified, is there anyone in Clark County who is afraid the voice of the progressive left will not continue to be well represented? Of course there isn’t. The daily newspaper in our community has long been a voice for the progressive left and is dedicated to do everything in its limited power to keep the liberal narratives active. It is one of the main reasons why the paper has continually lost readership over the years. It only represents one voice. Those who have not been represented have long since walked away. I worked there for 14 years. I lived it from the inside and since my tenure there things have only gotten worse in terms of that paper’s bias and one-sided coverage. It’s one of the reasons Clark County Today was founded. Our community needed more than one voice and it now has that.

I also find it amusing that the fact that Clark County Today and The Reflector are “free and widely shared’’ is somehow viewed as an unfair advantage. Shouldn’t it be celebrated that both news organizations have either found a benefactor or business model that allows each to provide news content at no cost to the community? No one is forcing area residents to read either news source. The fact that each has a healthy readership should cause others to pause and reassess their own practices and business model.

And finally, the statement ‘’Democracy works best when citizens are informed, not when a single viewpoint dominates the conversation’’ is side-splittingly hysterical. The 18th District Democrats absolutely want a single viewpoint to dominate the conversation – their own! They only sound the alarm when both sides of the issues are represented.

The bottom line is this. The existence of Clark County Today and the purchase of The Reflector Newspaper by the Spillers are blessings for this community. I am proud and enthusiastic about each news outlet going forward.