Rogovoy to Explore Future of Local Journalism with Expert Panel

Seth Rogovoy (photo Sabina Curti)

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Seth Rogovoy will be one of eight career journalists and educators who will explore “The Future of Local Journalism” in a panel discussion at Columbia-Greene Community College on Tuesday, March 20, at 7pm. Other panelists include David Scribner of the Berkshire Edge; Jimmy Buff of Radio Kingston; and Enid Futterman of imby.

Admission is free and the event is expected to last two hours, including an audience q&a. Roger Connor – cofounder and producer of Hudson Valley News Network – will host and moderate the discussion.

Over the past two decades many communities in the Hudson Valley – indeed communities throughout the United States – have endured a drastic decline in exclusive local news coverage.  Printed newspapers once dedicated to reporting on municipal, civic, and cultural proceedings have been summarily absorbed by larger regional and national news organizations or jettisoned altogether as unsustainable business models. The net result of this contraction of local news resources is perhaps the most uninformed general citizenry in history.

The panel will address topics including: The role and pitfalls of social media in the dissemination of community news; the dearth of trained journalists reporting objectively on town government meetings, school boards, local sports, chamber and local businesses, police and firefighters’ activities, community events; how should American journalists respond when the very notion of a legitimate free press is under assault by the government in power?; and, ultimately, to answer the question, Is local journalism sustainable and by what model?

Enid Futterman of imby

Panelists have been selected to represent a wide array of journalism experience.  Former editors and reporters from traditional print newspapers who have witnessed first-hand the migration of newspapers from print-only community trusts to multi-media business models, will join with creators of online niche websites sites and blogs as well as local educators.

Panelists: Karrie Allen – Bard College at Simons Rock; Jimmy Buff – Radio Kingston; Enid Futterman – imby.com; Karen Katz – Germantown Central School; Debby Mayer – The Columbia Paper; Seth Rogovoy – the Rogovoy Report; David Scribner – the Berkshire Edge; Paul Smart – Country Wisdom News.

Other area journalists, media professionals, and students are urged to join in the discussion during an extensive audience participation portion of the program.  The discussion is scheduled for 7- 9pm in the Saland Forum – Room 614 – in the Professional Academic Center at Columbia-Greene Community College – 4400 NY-23, Hudson, N.Y.

Promotional and planning support for this panel discussion is being provided by: Columbia Greene Community College; Country Wisdom News; Germantown Central School; Good Work Institute; Hudson Valley News Network; imby.com; Theberkshireedge.com; the Rogovoy Report; and Radio Kingston.

 

The event is being presented by Germantown Library.

 

 

 

 

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