League of Women Voters of Clark County to hold event with area journalists
VANCOUVER — Is the local news crisis that’s playing out across the country happening in Clark County, too?
Reliable, responsible local news is struggling as one-fourth of the country’s newspapers have closed since 2008. The future looks even bleaker as we’re on track to lose one-third by 2025.
This growing information deficit is resulting in troubling and powerful impacts: fewer candidates seeking local elected office, reduced voter turnout, higher government costs, greater political polarization, less community engagement and challenges to public health.
Is the same thing happening in Southwest Washington? Or is it destined to be? Should we care?
Area residents are invited to join the League from 7-8:30 p.m., Thu., Nov. 16, for “Does Local News Even Matter?” This community conversation is hosted by the League of Women Voters of Clark County and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
The event will feature representatives from The Columbian, Oregon Public Broadcasting, The Reflector, and Clark County Today. The other panelists will be Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Washington State University-Vancouver journalism instructor Len Reed, and Regina Lawrence, associate dean of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, who also serves as the research director of the university’s Agora Journalism Center.
The event will be in the Columbia room of the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Seating is limited and registration is required. Here’s the link: https://fvrl.librarymarket.com/does-local-news-even-matter-community-forum
The League of Women Voters of Washington, dedicated to defending democracy and empowering voters, recently completed an extensive study of local newspapers in the Evergreen state titled “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy.”
A free PDF of the study is available here. It is also available as a softback at cost for $9.52 on Amazon and as an electronic book for $1.99.
Details about the Nov. 16 event and the League’s study are available at lwvwa.org/local-news.
Information provided by League of Women Voters of Clark County.
Also read:
- Clark County Council discusses statement regarding ICE
Clark County Council members debated whether issuing a statement on ICE would ease community concerns or further complicate law enforcement operations in the county. - Beaver Bay Campground reservations open this week before grand re-opening Memorial Day weekend
Beaver Bay Campground on the Lewis River will reopen May 22 following major renovations, with campsite reservations opening Jan. 30 through PacifiCorp. - Grand Finale of Brush Strokes in Motion this Fri. & Sat. at RedDoor features Mathieson & Clarkson
RedDoor Gallery will wrap up its Brush Strokes in Motion series with live art demonstrations by Cheryl Mathieson and Matthew Clarkson during two afternoon events in Camas. - County manager seeks volunteer for open seat on Arts Commission
Clark County is seeking applications from residents of unincorporated areas to fill a two-year, at-large position on the Clark County Arts Commission. - Leslie Lewallen stays and fights for Washington as director of Future 42 Clark County
Former Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen is leading the Clark County chapter of Future 42, a new organization focused on policy advocacy, accountability, and engaging persuadable voters at the local and state level. - Opinion: ‘Seeking might over right destroys representative government’
Retired judge Dave Larson argues that prioritizing political power over constitutional principles has undermined representative government and calls for renewed civic responsibility. - Letter: ‘Immigration’ resolution scheduled for this Wednesday at Clark County Council Meeting
Rob Anderson urges residents to closely watch an upcoming Clark County Council meeting where an immigration-related resolution and proposed rule changes are expected to be discussed.
