Roundtable: The Importance of Local News
August 5, 2020
This Episode
In this Two Dollar Radio Radio episode, Eric Obenauf, publisher of Two Dollar Radio, will discuss these issues with two writers and editors from the Columbus Alive, Andy Downing, Editor, Columbus Alive, and Joel Oliphint, associate editor of Columbus Alive and a former freelance journalist for outlets such as BuzzFeed, Pitchfork, Pacific Standard, Spin and more.
"As local journalism declines, government officials conduct themselves with less integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness, and corporate malfeasance goes unchecked. With the loss of local news, citizens are: less likely to vote, less politically informed, and less likely to run for office."
—PEN America
According to a new book — Ghosting the News — by Washington Post media columnist, Margaret Sullivan, more than 2,000 newspapers have closed since 2004. The alarming consolidation of media outlets has created vast news deserts throughout the country, and allowed for the polarization of issues. In the face of COVID, the largest Civil Rights Movement in world history, and rampant corruption scandals by politicians in Ohio, local news coverage matters perhaps now more than ever.
Two Dollar Radio Radio aims to discuss community and literary culture by expanding on topics addressed by our publications through virtual events, podcasts, and video.
