The League of Women Voters of Washington’s new position of support for conditions under which local journalism can survive and thrive will be part of the discussion at two Puget Sound-area events this summer.
Additionally, the 133-page study, “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy,” is now available for sale as a paperback from Amazon for $9.52, as well as a free download from the LWVWA website.
Delores Irwin, who co-chaired the LWVWA’s two-year local news study, will discuss the report as well as moderate a “Saving Journalism, Saving Our Democracy” panel at Town Hall Seattle on Wednesday, June 21. On Wednesday, Aug. 23, Dee Anne Finken, the study’s other co-chair, will present at the Gig Harbor Now Leadership Circle Event, a “friend-raiser” for the nonprofit local newspaper.
The June event, hosted by Town Hall Seattle and The South Seattle Emerald, will feature Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen, KNKX news director Florangela Davila and Michael McPhearson, executive director of The Emerald. The panelists will discuss various funding proposals for assisting local newspapers, including the Democracy Policy Network’s “Local News Dollars” voucher program. Blethen, from the Seattle Times, has long been a proponent of legislation to ease the challenges facing news operations.
The in-person event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $5-$20.
The LWVWA study reported that Washington has experienced negative effects similar to those that have been identified throughout the country as a result of the local newspaper decline.
The loss of 20 weekly newspapers and three dailies, along with significant staffing and coverage reductions, have contributed to reduced voter participation, fewer candidates for local public office, challenges to public health campaigns, increased political partisanship, less community involvement, and increased costs in government, according to the study.
Among the efforts the study considers to combat the challenges is the rise of nonprofit news operations, like Gig Harbor Now. That publication was launched in the wake of the 2018 Gannett Co.-owned Gig Harbor Life closure and reductions in coverage by the Peninsula Gateway, purchased by a hedge fund.
Also speaking at the Gig Harbor event, which will be at the Russell Family Foundation office, will be Sen. Karen Keiser (D-33rd legislative district), who was instrumental in securing $2.4 million in state funding to establish a public-interest journalism fellowship at Washington State University.
The state League position, which membership confirmed at the May convention, reflected an understanding that a viable free press is critical to democracy. The position states: “The League of Women Voters of Washington believes it is the responsibility of the government to provide support for conditions under which credible local journalism can survive and thrive.”
The position also notes League’s support for efforts to ensure voters have access to information to cast an informed ballot and that credible local news sources are integral to this pursuit.
