As over 2,900 dailies and weeklies folded or merged in unprecedented numbers during the last two decades, local and national coverage essential to democracy is faltering. Small weeklies have been hardest hit. 

Print newspapers have helped for almost 250 years to preserve democracy, but should democracy now help them or let them and their journalism succumb with online journalism taking their places?

Join us April 30, 2024, for 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a lively and informative discussion about the problems, benefits, conflicts and potential solutions.

This event is sponsored by the Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association and co-sponsored by Harvard's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy and the Harvard Law School Association of Massachusetts.

Panelists:

Steve Busemeyer is the managing editor of The Connecticut Mirror, an independent non-profit online news source covering public policy. His 30-year career in daily journalism includes 20 years at The Hartford Courant, where he served as a member of the editorial board, data editor, breaking news editor and bureau chief. 

Paul Farhi has been a professional journalist for 45 years. He left the Washington Post at the end of 2023 after working there for 35 years. He covered the news media for the Post for 13 years. He is an author of a recent story in The Atlantic magazine on the future of journalism.

Paul J. Spetrini is a writer, designer, editor and photographer with more than 17 years of experience in community journalism in Rhode Island. He most recently worked with the Independent Newspaper and South County Life Magazine, where he currently works as an editor, paginator and photographer. He served as president of the Rhode Island Press Association (RIPA).

Moderators:

Rob DiAdamo has served in various roles in state government in his career, including General Counsel to the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, the Chief of Staff and other positions at the MBTA and is now works with transit agencies on organizational and funding strategies. He is also a professor and holds a master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School and a law degree from Boston University.

Bill Seymour is a newspaper journalist in Connecticut and Rhode Island, writer, professor of journalism for 38 years at colleges and universities. Also, former policy assistant and media advisor to Connecticut governors’ administrations and commissioners; assistant press secretary and agency Chief of Staff. He has a master’s degree from Harvard's Kennedy School.