World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate members of the press and acknowledge the dangers they face from hostile governments, multi-national corporations and other actors on a daily basis as they report from the front lines, both literally and metaphorically.
The First Amendment of the Constitution places freedom of the press among the very first protections afforded to its citizens. This reflects both the high importance of an uncensored press as well as a need to ensure the government does not interfere with acts of dissent and defiance. For journalists working across the globe, however, this freedom is not a guarantee.
We acknowledge the trials journalists face by promoting access to a wide range of news outlets, including prominent national papers such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal; local papers like the Burlington County Times and the Medford Central Record; and even publications from Europe, Africa and beyond! Want to help celebrate World Press Freedom Day? Check out these resources:
NewsBank
Searching for an article about your high school sports career, or an obituary for a loved one? The Burlington County Times is the journalistic authority for happenings from around the county. Via NewsBank, library customers can access full scans of issues from the past year and text of articles going back more than 20 years.
You can find other local newspapers on NewsBank too, including:
- The Central Record (Medford)
- The Newark Star Ledger
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- The Press of Atlantic City
- The Trentonian
Not finding what you are looking for online? Make your way to the New Jersey Room in the Burlington County Library to check out our extensive collection of microfilm containing dozens of papers across the county and surrounding areas.
Newspaper Source Plus
Brought to you via EBSCO, Newspaper Source Plus allows users to keyword search across multiple news sources or filter for specific publications, both foreign and domestic. These range from the Australian National News Wire to Yomiuri Shimbun out of Japan, and everything in between! So, if you’re looking for another perspective on contemporary issues, or to learn more about goings-on in another country, let your library be your passport and check out Newspaper Source Plus.
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal
The library also provides access to prominent papers of record like the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to keep you abreast of current events.
To access The Wall Street Journal you must first create an account. Then, you can sign in here and you’ll have access for the next three days. After three days, you’ll just have to log in again! You can access this resource from anywhere.
To access the New York Times you have two options: unlimited access in your library, either connected to the WiFi or from a desktop, or; 72-hour access at home. For unlimited access, be sure you are connected to library WiFi. Then, register or log in to your existing account and voila! You have unlimited access during your visit. For 72-hour access at home, register for an account or log in to your existing account. Then, get your 72-hour activation code. Click “REDEEM” and you’re in! This pass will also be sent to the email address linked to your NYTimes.com account. Once confirmed you can enjoy seamless, full access to NYTimes.com and NYTimes mobile apps including NYT Audio for 72 hours!
Celebrate our First Amendment rights to a free press with free access to news and updates through BCLS. Support your local papers and thank a journalist this World Press Freedom Day!
