The Methow Valley Examiner started from a need to hear from more voices in our community and to cover local stories that haven’t received their due attention. The foundation of our democracy depends on an informed public. Being an online publication, we are not limited by the space constraints of a physical paper and can give topics the attention they deserve.

MVE is not in competition with the Methow Valley News. They are still good for headlines, as their name implies. The Examiner just goes a little deeper, as its name implies.

My background includes working as a staff writer for The Moscow Times in Moscow, Russia; assistant to the Moscow Bureau Chief for Cox Newspapers; editor of North Seattle Community College’s newspaper, The Polaris; contributing writer to the Methow Valley News and editor of The Good Life Magazine. I was taught by some old-timers who came up during a time when being objective wasn’t just a norm, it was a requirement. Sure, everyone can have their opinions, but we had to give each voice their due.

I’ve learned a lot in these roles, but perhaps my biggest teacher has been reading good journalism. You shouldn’t be able to tell from an article what “side” the reporter is on. That’s reserved for personal conversations. Frankly, I’ve changed my opinions after covering stories and talking to colleagues. I enjoy mental sword fights. They make us all sharper.

Someone asked me whether I was concerned about civility on the platform. Frankly, as long as you’re addressing an issue, and a person as it relates to an issue, it should be civil. I think we can all do that. Unfortunately, sometimes people are personally offended by a disagreement on an issue that’s not personal. We can all strengthen our tolerance on that front.

It gives me tremendous pleasure to be a platform for the exchange of ideas. I know I have a smart electorate to keep me in check if I run into any blindspots, as I raise the lantern and move forward.

Julia Babkina

Editor

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