Put your trust in print:National Newspaper Week is Oct. 3 to 9 Sometimes it’s hard to believe what you read, but I hope the Star Herald has your trust … as much as it can, that is.In an era where print and broadcast organizations are run like corporations instead of newsrooms — where partisan pandering is more important than neutrality — I hope the local paper still has a place of respect in your home.The latest issue of American Journalism Review published a poll that showed most people are skeptical of journalists and their work.I could have guessed that much, but it’s even worse than I thought: it seems reporters are seen as barely more ethical than Hitler and just smarter than chimps.Here are some of the results: oOnly 39 percent agreed with the statement that, "The news media try to report the news without bias." Staying unbiased is always at the forefront of my mind — whether I’m covering a government meeting or doing a pleasant retirement story on someone I don’t believe worked very hard. I let the story reflect how information was presented to me.oA whopping 61 percent of Americans said falsifying stories is a widespread problem. I think Star Herald readers know their community enough to see that our sources and information are factual. We couldn’t invent them and not be run out of town.oJust 56 percent said newspapers should be allowed to freely criticize the military and its strategy or performance. Even facts, in a time of war, can be interpreted as critical of the military.In the same way, many of our readers think we shouldn’t be able to criticize our local governments in times of controversy. They think it’s just unpleasant, and should be left out of the paper. But if we don’t put criticisms in print and on the record, who would?Locally, our Star Herald readers have commented about the paper itself being pro-city or pro-county. By looking back at the news pages, week after week, both sides of recent controversies are equally outlined. So the paper itself can’t be called biased. The opinion page, on the other hand, is designated to express opinions of individual writers, so saying that page is "biased" is a compliment to effective writing.oThe poll showed that 12 percent said the press has too little freedom — the highest such response in the history of the survey. However, another 42 percent of Americans believe the press has too much freedom. Remember just whom that press freedom belongs to. It’s every American, not just those of us who take the time to run around the county with a notebook, pen and camera. That’s why we celebrate things like the upcoming National Newspaper Week. It’s a recognition of all of us: reporters, letter writers, newspaper readers.After reading the AJR poll, I am enlightened … and a little disheartened. I know that winning a popularity contest isn’t the point of journalism, but earning your trust would sure make my day.