Video: Will Local Journalism Survive the Pandemic?
Local journalism has long faced challenges to its survival, and the COVID-19 pandemic presents a new threat of extinction. But, it’s one of our most essential resources, especially in the fight to counter misinformation online. Even as people turn to local journalism outlets more for information on the pandemic in their communities, local media operations are facing significant losses of advertising revenue and cutting staff and circulation throughout the nation.
This was a discussion we hosted with a panel of experts on short- and long-term policy solutions to supporting local journalism, including specific suggestions for the upcoming COVID-19 stimulus bills.
Panelists:
Craig Aaron, Co-CEO, Free Press
Steve Waldman, Co-Founder, Report for America
Frances Murphy Draper, CEO & Publisher, Afro-American Newspapers
Joaquin Alvarado, Executive Director, Project Accelerate at The Seattle Times
Lisa Macpherson, Senior Policy Fellow, Public Knowledge
Charlotte Slaiman, Competition Policy Director, Public Knowledge, Moderator