Investing in journalism as the way to a sustainable future is a growing trend in public media.
In 2012, 42 percent of National Public Radio member stations grew their full-time local news staffs, according to a survey of 103 stations conducted by Michael Marcotte, a public media consultant and visiting professor of journalism at the University of Nevada Reno. In the same survey, 50 percent of stations said there would be no reduction in the news staff.
Focusing on journalism and digital delivery methods “is absolutely crucial for our future and it’s the right time for us to be focusing on this,” Vogelzang said. “The focus has got to be on these areas. Where can we add value to programming for our listeners? And its not about ourselves internally here. It’s about the viewers and listeners: Where is the value proposition for MPBN?”
Bangor Daily News reporter Whit Richardson dives into the challenges facing Maine Public Broadcasting — indeed, all public broadcasting. Despite layoffs, Maine sees local journalism as key to success.