I can see that although the expectation would be that a newspaper would truthfully report the views of those who have moved away, if anything to shine a spotlig

I can see that although the expectation would be that a newspaper would truthfully report the views of those who have moved away, if anything to shine a spotlight on conditions that are driving residents to leave. If the narrator is more of the pessimistic type, then perhaps their motives are more personal, or the newspaper wishes to dissuade readers from leaving.