Location
It was a lively and interactive discussion as promised! Thanks to all who attended, a great turnout. For those of you that missed it, watch it above on YouTube (thanks to HWCAM).
- Is Hamilton-Wenham in an Information Desert? What does it mean for our local democracy and vibrancy in our community?
- What can Hamilton-Wenham learn from other communities who have launched successful local news efforts?
- What efforts are underway in Hamilton-Wenham? How can interested citizens get involved and help support efforts to bring local journalism back to our towns?
Presented by LWVHW in partnership with the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library and with funding from the Hamilton-Wenham Local Cultural Council.
Speakers
Paul Mihailidis (Moderator): Paul Mihailidis is a professor of civic media and journalism and special advisor to the provost at Emerson College in Boston, MA. The author of multiple books, reports, papers and articles on media, news, and communities, his work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Scientific American, Slate Magazine, the Nieman Foundation, USA Today, Newsweek and CNN.
John Muldoon: John Muldoon is co-founder and publisher of the non-profit Ipswich Local News. A native of Ireland, he started his career in journalism freelancing at the Waltham News Tribune before getting a full-time job at the Wellesley Townsman. From there, he went to Conway, N.H., before finding his way into IT. He spent many years trying to escape technology and did that by starting the Ipswich Local News website in 2015. That evolved into the print edition in 2019. The paper is now mailed to 9,300 addresses in Ipswich and Rowley every week.
Jack Lawrence: According to Jack Lawrence, the spark for local journalism came from Bill Wasserman, a North Shore journalist who, in his 90s, joined with John Muldoon to build Ipswich Local News as a non-profit weekly newspaper. Bill provided seed capital and sold advertising door to door. Bill told Mr. Lawrence he doubted Hamilton and Wenham would provide sufficient ad revenue for support. Jack’s experience on the Town Hall Building Committee made clear the gulf that existed between town governance and citizens. A better vehicle than social media was critically needed to marshal the collective capabilities and participation of our citizens. Ipswich Local News has accomplished that in Ipswich. Jack asks - why not here?
Ella Tran: Ella Tran is a Student Editor for The General Consensus, HWRSD.
