Local panel discusses vulture capitalism and vanishing local news

"Stripped for Parts," a documentary screened at the Edmonds Theater, links the decline of local newspapers to hedge fund acquisitions, with over 2,000 community papers closing in the last five years. The event featured a panel including Brenda Mann Harrison of the League of Women Voters, who highlighted that diminished local news leads to lower voter turnout and increased government spending due to lack of oversight. Michael Whitney of the Snohomish County Tribune emphasized the need for neutral reporting to ensure government accountability. Panelist Alex Bruell shared a troubling incident where a newspaper had to negotiate to publish a story about staff cuts, illustrating the loss of journalistic independence. Audience members expressed shock at the extent of the issue and sought ways to support local journalism.

The nonprofit My Neighborhood News Network, which covers multiple local communities, depends on grants and donations to sustain its operations. The screening aimed to raise awareness about the critical state of local news and encourage community involvement. As local journalism faces challenges, the call for support becomes increasingly urgent.