On this episode of the Buckeye Visualist, host Lori King talks about the power of visuals with Signal Akron's Sue Zake, editor-in-chief, and multimedia reporter and producer Kassi Filkins. 

Our topic is Signal Akron, a new nonprofit newsroom startup in Akron, Ohio. Sue, a former Akron Beacon multimedia journalist and editor, is leading that small but mighty newsroom, which launched in December 2023.

Kassi worked at the Southeast Missourian and the Hartford Courant before getting her degree at Kent State University and joining the staff of Signal Akron. 

Listen as we chat about the false stigma that photojournalists can't lead newsrooms; how visuals attract readers ... and keep them more engaged; why photojournalists are a valuable asset to all newsrooms; the state of photojournalism education; the loss of independent journalism when newsrooms rely on handouts rather than their own visual reporting.

We also give a shoutout to the remaining three photographers at the Akron Beacon Journal.

Social media:

Signal Akron | The Signal Akron Team

Kassi's Portfolio | ONPA's article on Sue Zake

The Buckeye Visualist is brought to you by the ⁠⁠⁠Ohio News Photographers Association⁠⁠⁠

Got an idea for a podcast? Shoot Lori King an email at [email protected]

Lori King: X ⁠⁠⁠@intro2pj⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@toledophotog⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website