State task force tackles the decline of local news
Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, introduces the final report of the state’s Local Journalism Task Force. It details a decline of local news coverage throughout the state but proposes ways the legislature can support newsrooms. Capitol News Illinois/Alex Abbeduto
A local journalism task force recently looked at how Illinois could reverse its trend of declining local news. Joined by some members and a former academic representative of the task force itself, we'll hear their findings on the subject, and where the group's proposals stand.
We'll discuss the effects of the declining local news in Illinois and across the nation, what we can do to deal with the decline, and what the future may look like.
GUESTS:
Nikki Usher
Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of San Diego
Former Professor in Journalism Department at UIUC's College of Media
Jenna Dooley
News Director, WNIJ (Northern Public Radio)
Member, Local Journalism Task Force
Immediate Past President, Illinois News Broadcasters Association
Sam Fisher
Former President, CEO, Illinois Press Association
former newspaper publisher
Member, Local Journalism Task Force