Local news is essential to a vibrant democracy. Join us for a one day conversation on the future of Vermont’s local news to discuss strategies for sustaining trusted sources of local news and inspiring a new generation of journalists and engaged citizens in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Sponsored by the Community News Service at UVM, in collaboration with the Vermont Journalism Exchange. Organizing Committee: Kate Schubart, Fran Stoddard, and Richard Watts.
Panel Topics and Speakers Include:
- Importance of local media & what it provides: National landscape, federal funding and latest research on local media relationship to community vitality. Lead: Meg Little Reilly; Rebecca Ellis
- From the trenches: Community paper editors share their stories. Lead: Randy Holhut/The Commons, Tim Calabro/Randolph Herald, Lisa Loomis/Valley Reporter
- Business models for sustainability: Ideas & the concept of a new non-profit to collect donations on behalf of papers, subscription options. Lead: Paula Routly/Seven Days; Angelo Lynn/Ad Indy
- Digitizing content: Some approaches to digitizing content and reader engagement. Lead: Lisa Scagliotti/Waterbury Roundabout; Sarah Ashworth/VPR
- Shared Content ideas: Shared services/content models & other ideas. Lead: Anne Galloway/VTDigger; Michael Wood-Lewis/ FPF, Cory Dawson/CNS
- Local, Regional and National Models: Other models for providing local news. Lauren-Glenn Davitian/Town Meeting TV, Melanie Plenda/NH Media Collaborative, Bill Densmore/Information Trust Exchange
