On 14 May 2015, Fairfax Media announced a proposal to downsize its newspapers in our region. The proposal would see up to 50 journalists, photographers and commercial staff from the Illawarra and South Coast lose their jobs. I believe this will have a significant impact on the regional paper, the Illawarra Mercury, and our local newspaper, the Kiama Independent.

Without a local editor and with fewer journalists, I am concerned that an increased workload and fewer resources could have a negative impact on the quality of coverage in our region. 

As the critical voice in a one-newspaper town, the Illawarra Mercury has set the agenda for regional news coverage. Talented local journalists and photographers from the Mercury and Kiama Independent are responsible for documenting the personalities, events and places that make this area great. Their accounts capture a moment in time which builds a faithful record of our local history. 

The value of this cannot be underestimated. 

Our libraries keep copies of the local paper, which are bound and used for people researching local history and those trying to discover their family history. What ramifications would the proposed cuts have on the quality of this historical record?

Fairfax staff, readers and advertisers can have their say about the company's proposal. 

I believe that we all must stand up for our local papers and preserve this vital element in the democratic process. 

We need to stand up and demand that our local journalists, photographers and production staff must stay. 

Email your objections to acm@fairfaxmedia.com.au by May 29.