Meeting/Event Description
Can Local Journalism Survive? League of Women Voters OPRF and Growing Community Media.
The internet killed off many daily newspapers. Display ads, supermarket circulars and help wanted ads migrated online, demolishing a once-profitable business model. Many local publications have converted into nonprofits, expending resources fundraising rather than selling ads. Meanwhile a new wave of young online publications is attempting to fill the vacuum and cover their communities. Consumers need to know whether it’s going to rain, if the jobs report is positive and figure out where to eat. If democracy is to survive, voters need to know the candidates running for office and their positions. Foundations have stepped into the fray, but will their philanthropy be enough?
Panelists:
Tracy Baim, executive director of Press Forward Chicago, a pooled fund helping local journalism
Max Reinsdorf, Interim executive director, Growing Community Media
April Alonso, co-founder of Cicero Independiente
Amethyst Davis, founder of the Harvey World Herald
Moderator: Judith Crown, co-president, League of Women Voters Oak Park and River Forest