Journalism in Oregon: the new contradiction in terms?

Carla Axtman

I've seen a number of discussions floating about the internet tubes on how the print media (at least in the Portland area) appears to be on life-support. Television journalism in Oregon essentially AWOL, as far as I can tell.

I missed the Portland City Club discussion on the future of journalism in Portland, which according to Matt Davis of the Mercury was a whiz-banging good time. I suppose I could have sprung for the $85 and attended, but I generally think I don't belong at a discussion of how to rehabilitate journalism in Oregon that happens among journalism professionals. Mostly because I sincerely doubt they give a shit what I think.

Nor would I expect them to. I'm not a trained journalist and nobody has ever paid me to work at their newspaper or their TV news show.

I believe that the informed electorate is the only way to truly keep democracy and our Republic. And I'm very concerned about the erosion and systematic dismantling of journalism both nationally and locally. But I'll be damned if I know what to do about it.

The current business model that many newspapers are using isn't working, obviously. And I don't even know where to begin with TV news. I'm curious if anyone out there has some ideas or notions on how we can save this incredibly important (and dying) work?

By Carla Axtman Nov. 16, 2009