By Dee Anne Finken, Communications Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington

League members attending the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association convention this month discussed timely topics with journalists, including the League’s legislative advocacy for local news, ways media literacy training serves journalism, and how a League partnership with a local news outlet means increased coverage. 

Approximately 150 editors and publishers attended the event held in Everett.  During one break-out session, more than two dozen journalists learned how the League of the San Juans’ Observer Corps helps expand reporting for the Journal of the San Juans. 

“It’s truly a win-win relationship,” Journal editor Heather Spaulding told attendees.  

Barbara Sharp, who leads the Observer Corps with fellow League member Susan Martin, told convention goers that League volunteers in the San Juans provide brief reports and always focus on straight-forward content. “It’s all neutral information in keeping with the League’s policy of being non-partisan,” Sharp said. 

Sharp also stressed that Observer Corps members are not journalists, but producers of reports about the “nuts and bolts” of what happens at local government meetings.  “Still, the project helps us bring news to the voters,” Sharp said, adding, “An informed voter is a good voter.”   

Two journalists at other outlets asked if the League might offer the program elsewhere in the state. Sharp said a number of other local Leagues host Observer Corps, but they share their reports only with their members. 

Sharp distributed sample reports by the San Juan League and shared a writing style guide her volunteers follow. She noted the chapter has observers at meetings of seven local government entities. 

She said the Journal publishes the League’s reports online and in print while five other area news outlets publish reports online. 

Additionally, members of the Media Literacy and News Education Project team presented an hourlong workshop about the League’s media literacy work and why it should matter to news outlets.  

“Is media literacy education the job of local news?” asked workshop presenters Brenda Mann Harrison and Lisa Stettler as they opened their session. They continued by asking those present to consider how “media literacy provides a foundation for valuing journalism.”  

The journalists were clearly eager to explore the premise, Harrison said.  

“You could tell how engaged they were by how loud the room was with their conversation whenever we asked them to discuss a question with someone,” Harrison said.  

“We also collected their handwritten input about the most important things their community members should know about media and news literacy,” Harrison said.  

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, was keynote speaker at the convention luncheon. Liias, who sponsored SB 5400 last session to help rebuild local news in Washington, confirmed he will introduce a revised bill for the upcoming session. It will closely resemble his previous bill, raising upwards of $28 million for local outlets from a nominal surcharge on social media and big tech giants.  

The senator described the press as a vital institution, saying the country, now, more than ever, needs both real investigative journalism and opportunities where the public can witness meaningful civil discussions about issues. 

He saluted the League and other civic and good government groups that offer opportunities for people to convene and share ideas.