When local news dies, so does our democracy | Chuck Plunkett | TEDxMileHigh

Summary

Journalist Peter van de Ven shares his journey and the crisis in local news. He recounts the decline of The Denver Post, from a Pulitzer-winning powerhouse to a shell of its former self due to corporate greed and the digital shift. Van de Ven's call to action urges public funding for journalism, emphasizing its vital role in democracy and the dangers of unchecked power without a vigilant press.

Takeaways

• 📰 The speaker is a veteran journalist who has worked for major newspapers and emphasizes the importance of local news in democracy.
• 🔍 Journalists are trained to evaluate evidence carefully, seek credible sources, and correct mistakes, which has shaped the speaker's identity.
• 🏛️ The speaker has experienced the decline of the local news industry firsthand, with massive staff reductions at The Denver Post after being sold to a hedge fund.
• 💔 The shift from print to digital media has not been financially successful for newspapers, leading to further job cuts and a decrease in journalistic quality.
• 🏆 Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize, The Denver Post continued to face budget cuts, highlighting the disconnect between success and funding in the industry.
• 🗣️ The speaker argues that local news is crucial for an informed public, enabling better decision-making in elections and policy.
• 🏞️ The concept of 'news deserts' is introduced, where entire communities lack substantial news coverage, leading to uninformed citizens.
• 📉 The speaker points out the negative impact of the decline in local news on the political process, including the rise of wealthy candidates and a more partisan electorate.
• 🛑 The speaker calls for a public-funding option for newspapers to ensure their survival and the health of democracy.
• 🚫 The speaker warns that the decline of local newsrooms leads to a lack of oversight and accountability in government and corporations.
• 🌟 The speech concludes with a call to action for a revolution in how local news is valued and supported, to preserve democracy.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the speaker in the script?

The main concern expressed by the speaker is the decline of local news and its impact on democracy, highlighting the importance of local journalism and the consequences of its disappearance.

How has the speaker's experience at The Denver Post evolved over the years?

The speaker started at The Denver Post in 2003, where it was a thriving news organization with nearly 300 journalists. However, after being sold to a hedge fund, Alden Global Capital, the newsroom was reduced by nearly half, and the speaker eventually became part of a rebellion against the owners' mismanagement.

What was the speaker's reaction to the continuous reduction of journalists at The Denver Post?

The speaker was deeply affected by the reduction of journalists, feeling that the quality and depth of local news coverage suffered. This led to a major depression and the decision to publicly criticize the owners through a special editorial.

What is the term 'news deserts' referring to in the script?

'News deserts' refers to communities, often entire counties, that have little to no local news coverage due to the closure of newsrooms and the decline of local journalism.

How did the speaker describe the impact of local news on democracy?

The speaker described local news as a mirror that reflects the community back to itself, empowering people with information that enables them to make informed decisions. The decline of local news leads to uninformed voters and a weakened democracy.

What role did the speaker believe local news played in elections?

The speaker believes that local news plays a critical role in elections by thoroughly vetting, scrutinizing, and fact-checking candidates, ensuring that voters are well-informed and can make educated choices.

What was the speaker's reaction to the news of further staff cuts at The Denver Post in 2018?

The speaker was deeply upset by the news of further staff cuts, leading to a realization that the paper was being destroyed and prompting a decision to publicly confront the owners.

What action did the speaker and a team of writers take to protest the situation at The Denver Post?

The speaker and a team of eight writers secretly prepared a special Sunday Perspective section with a hard-hitting editorial aimed directly at the owners, demanding investment in quality journalism or selling the paper to owners who would.

What was the outcome of the speaker's public confrontation with the owners of The Denver Post?

The public confrontation led to widespread support and recognition of the issue, but as expected, the speaker was forced to resign from The Denver Post.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of local news for a functioning democracy?

The speaker strongly believes that local news is vital for a functioning democracy, serving as a check and balance and providing the necessary information for an informed citizenry. The speaker calls for public funding to support local newsrooms.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience regarding the state of local news?

The speaker calls for a revolution, urging the audience to recognize the importance of local news and to support public funding options to ensure the survival of local newsrooms and the health of democracy.