I worry about what news deserts would look like without the LJI. There are so many small news organizations right now that are hoping, praying and waiting for some acknowledgement and understanding about what's going to happen with this program.
There are hundreds of journalists who have moved to places like Churchill, Manitoba, or to The Pas because they had a job there. If they don't know if they have a job in April, then what are they going to do? Are they going to work at Home Hardware? I don't think that is really befitting of treating people with professionalism.
I think it's about time we decided if this program is going to continue. I hope it does. I hope we hear something from officials pretty shortly about where it's going to go. If we don't have it, then the information deserts are going to be cataclysmic.