Good Local News Is Essential for Democracy [SPECIAL EVENT]

Hear some good news - about good news! From newsroom leaders at excellent outlets who are prospering, serving their communities and supporting democracy!

Local news is essential for democracy. Good journalists are the heroes of our time.

We are hosting an event where leaders of exceptional publications will discuss how their outlets are serving and engaging their communities.

The event is Thurs. July 17 at 7pm ET via Zoom. Register here.
Please also see the “good trouble” note below.

Our panelists are:

• Nina Misuraca Ignaczak, Founder and editor of Planet Detroit, focused on the environment and public health in Detroit and Michigan that “centers grassroots voices, holds power accountable, spotlights solutions and serves the community.”

• Donna Ladd, Founding Editor and CEO of the Mississippi Free Press which has the goal of “deep public-interest reporting to inspire solutions for Mississippi’s challenges.”

• Akash Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of New York Focus, an “independent nonprofit newsroom investigating power in the Empire State” which says it is “guided by the belief that politics is not a sport.”

• Angela Kuper Copeland, Editor of The Paper, Morganton NC, an all-local weekly community newspaper that “delivers deeply-reported, original journalism in print and online, earning more than 30 state and national awards in just two years.’

Stefanie Murray, director of the Center for Cooperative Media will moderate the panel.

Local news is a vital resource. Local journalists alert us to dangers, root out waste, and strengthen our communities. On top of all that, they make us better citizens. Studies show that civic engagement increases where local news is strong — more people vote.

Local news is particularly crucial in these difficult times and needs our support. Among other things, the panelists will discuss how they are assessing the impacts of the MAGA cuts and how they are covering the growing movement to defend our democracy.

This event is co-hosted by the Media and Democracy Project and Markers For Democracy.

The event is Thursday July 17 at 7pm ET via Zoom. Register here.

Please note: there are Good Trouble actions being organized to mark the 5th anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s death on July 17 as well. We do not want to detract from those if there is one near you.

Supporting local news is also a vital action to strengthen our democracy. We hope you can make “good trouble” and support local journalists as well.

---

Thanks for reading The Media and Democracy Project Blog. Subscribe for free to receive new posts. We’re an all-volunteer 501(c)(4) civic organization. Please consider becoming a paying subscriber or donate to support our work.