Reports from respected sources like The Associated Press of more than two newspapers shutting down per week and many radio stations no longer providing local information are concerning.
Panelists and audience participants in a Community Conversation at Field Arts & Events Hall and through livestreaming shared ideas April 22, including more digital and print subscribers, nonprofit public ownership and reporting grants to help — as one panelist put it — “reduce the bleeding” from diminished ad revenues.
A recording of the event honoring journalism and other community service contributions of retired Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher John Brewer, who died in a rafting accident during a fly-fishing trip, is available at https://www.youtube.com/live/tvzEMi3vdTc.
As a retired journalism instructor, reporter, editor and devoted area resident, as well as a proponent of well-informed participants in democratic governments, I’m grateful to Field Hall, First Fed, Kiwanis and others involved and hopeful our community will help newspapers and other trustworthy media stay alive.
Robbie Mantooth
Port Angeles