An open letter to my Press Organization on How to Save Journalism

Hello,

I am a former member of the press club from 2018 to 2019 and still continue to professionally report when I can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9c-KaOasnI&t

Watching Adam Conover’s video this morning about the decline of journalism reminded me that this is the most pressing issue in this profession today.

Conover reported that in the past month, Vice and Sports Illustrated went out of business, and the LA Times laid off 20% of its staff. Since 2005, the US has lost 1/3 of all journalism in the country, and 2/3 of all journalist jobs.

As a former member of the National Press Club, I have been scrolling through news releases and videos of Emily Wilkins prioritizing the release of Austin Tice and press freedoms in an age in which journalism is dangerously falling apart. Along Wilkins’ listed goals: “The relentless pursuit of press freedoms… media literacy, the rise of generative AI and its impact on journalism, as well as the importance of vigorous, accurate reportage covering all levels of government, not just the White House and Congress.”

This leaves me gravely concerned as someone in the journalism community. I want to emphasize here my concerns have nothing to do with my non-renewal from the Press Club in 2019. I would gladly agree to surrender any privileges with the NPC (including the ability to attend an event as a guest of a member, or attend a social…