As we close out 2024 the staff at the Virginia Statesman wants to thank all of our readers for following us this fall semester as we bring you stories from our community.

We know that as students you are very busy and sometimes it is easier to quickly scroll through Instagram for the news than to pick up a paper or click on our website.

But as we enter 2025 and transition into this new political climate, we want to ask this of our readers… continue to value your 1st Amendment and the rights that come along with it.

As we saw four years ago, the right to a free press is something that can often be taken for granted. The fact that our staff reporters can attend a community meeting and report the truth about our leaders is not always guaranteed.

Upon our return to campus, we will enter into a time with new leadership. Leadership that has outwardly called out the press as the enemy. Trust us – we are not the enemy.

On February 22, stand with us as we celebrate Student Press Freedom Day. The Statesman will continue to take on the difficult task of covering the news for you. As always we welcome your voice and your participation.

Please consider joining our team, or at the very least communicating with us through our social media and other avenues.

We want to thank you for your support and remind you that the as Walter Cronkite once said, “Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.“