Steve Waldman recently stepped away from Report for America to found Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit focused on using public policy to support journalism. In this episode, we talk through the history of public policy as it relates to news, the perils of government involvement, the nuances of crafting policy that balances multiple goals and concerns, and the state of local news. Steve also reflects on his time at Report for America, shares reasons for optimism and offers advice for young journalists trying to balance careers and their mental health.

 

Episode chapters:

(02:36) - Why journalism needs public policy as a tool

(06:56) - The history of government support and involvement in news

(12:23) - Why the state of local news demands action now

(20:50) - Crafting policy to minimize interference but weed out bad actors

(25:52) - This about supporting public goods, not propping up a failing business model

(30:01) - For-profits and nonprofits, legacy institutions, serving rural and minority communities

(43:25) - Moving from a federal to a state focus

(50:58) - Reflecting on Report for America

(54:48) - Rapid-fire questions

 

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