Journalism in Challenging Times: A Vital Conversation on the Crisis Facing Local News at Caffe Lena

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local journalism is in a state of crisis throughout the US, and the Capital District is no exception. The future of democracy depends on sustaining impactful, accountability-focused reporting. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, NY Focus will present an evening of insightful dialogue at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7.

The evening’s program, “Journalism in Challenging Times,” will feature a keynote address by Rex Smith, former editor of the Times Union.  Smith will explore the evolution of local journalism over the past several decades, the intersection of media and politics, and the challenges facing journalism today, including the rise of news deserts and the decline of revenue in traditional media.

Following the keynote, Smith will join the founders of NY Focus, New York’s only statewide nonprofit newsroom, an outlet dedicated to covering underreported issues, state policy, and government in New York. Together, they will discuss how nonprofit newsrooms are seeking to help restore the media landscape and what is at stake if local journalism continues to decline.

The event will conclude with a Q&A session, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and explore how they can support the future of local journalism.

Tickets and information are available at www. https://www.caffelena.org. All proceeds benefit NY Focus’s mission to deliver high-quality, accountability-focused journalism.  

With a focus on in-depth investigations, NY Focus is part of a growing movement of nonprofit newsrooms committed to preserving the stories that matter most. https://nysfocus.com/