Reps from Ashland.news, KSKQ, Ashland Chronicle, ‘Jimformation’ and SOCAN spoke Saturday
By Damian Mann for Ashland.news
A varied group of Ashland news organization representatives took a deep dive into the shifting landscape of journalism Saturday at Southern Oregon University.
About 50 people attended the more than two-hour event, which described how local journalism has changed markedly over the past 10 years with the demise of the Mail Tribune and Ashland Daily Tidings.
Jason Houk with KSKQ radio moderated the panel discussion, which included Morgan Rothborne, reporter with Ashland.news; Jim Falkenstein, who provides “Jimformation” on local issues on YouTube; David Runkel with Ashland Chronicle; and Alan Journet with Southern Oregon Climate Action Now.
The event was part of the 20th annual Independent Media Week organized by Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice showcasing local independent media sources.
Most of the panel sharply criticized the city of Ashland for failing to release important information to the public.
“The goal of the city is not communication,” Falkenstein said. “My focus is local, local, local … An informed community is an outraged community.”
Unlike other panelists, Falkenstein said, “Usually at the end (of a video), I want to have a call to action.”
Houk described Falkenstein, who has been posting videos for seven years, as a YouTube influencer.
Falkenstein, who appeared to agree with that description, said he likes to think of himself as a citizen journalist.
Journet, who describes himself as a scientist interested more in facts and data, routinely sends out news releases on climate issues to local media with varied success.
“A lot of the media are just ducking this whole issue,” he said.
Journet said the threat of climate change is now being overshadowed by a new threat — the Trump administration.
Instead of holding the panel discussion, Journet said, “I really wonder if we should be out on the street protesting.”
Journet said his previous dealings with the defunct Mail Tribune and Ashland Daily Tidings were undermined by the last owner, Steven Saslow, who didn’t appear to be interested in climate change issues.
“It’s really sad,” Journet said.
As a scientist, Journet said he relies on data from the government for his analysis of climate change. He said the climate issues shouldn’t be viewed as a liberal agenda. “It’s a science,” Journet said, while adding, “There are some people who reject science.”
Journet acknowledged that he’s not good at telling stories that describe the impact of climate change.
He said many institutions have been quietly gathering data from government websites because they’re worried the government will no longer provide that information.
Runkel, who describes himself as an “old fact-based reporter,” said three of the newspapers that he worked on over the years have ceased operations.
He said the Ashland Chronicle has existed for six years.
“Nobody receives a paycheck,” Runkel said. “We don’t have any ties to city government.”
Runkel described various issues covering Ashland government, including ongoing problems getting information from Ashland police.
He criticized the city’s handling of the homeless shelter, which opened without a fire sprinkler system and with sub-standard facilities.
“It was a disgrace for the city to do what they did,” he said.
Houk also said the city’s attempts to operate a homeless shelter have been “disgraceful.”
An April 12 altercation on Main Street is another incidence of the city failing to inform the public, Runkel said
The string of alleged assaults, including on police officers, led to the arrest of a local man who faces multiple charges such as kidnapping and domestic violence.
Runkel said it took until Tuesday for him to learn about it, and only when he saw an article appear in the Daily Courier.
He said the police fail to make many arrest records readily available to the public in a timely manner.
“Morgan (with Ashland.news) wrote a brilliant story six days after it happened,” he said.
Every effort should be made by reporters to get the information to the public as fast as possible, Runkel said, noting he often files stories right after City Council meetings.
In general, the city of Ashland is very restrictive in what it releases, Runkel said.
As a reporter, Runkel said he said it is his responsibility to be skeptical of what city officials say or hand out.
Rothborne said her goal is to always provide the best journalism possible and to give readers as much information as possible.
She said she also works into the night.
“I filed a story on a Sunday at 4 a.m.,” she said. “I try to keep an eye on so many things.”
Over the years, Rothborne said she has devoted many unpaid hours to gathering information for stories.
Rothborne was lauded by the panelists for a recent story on the homeless shelter. Rothborne had spent the night at the shelter to get a first-hand and detailed impression of how it felt to be a homeless person.
“I love odd facts,” she said.
She said her articles still follow the inverted pyramid formula of traditional journalism where the most important information is at the top of the story while providing as detailed an account as she can.
“I’m trying to keep as much fidelity as I can,” she said. “I have been chastised that my stories are too long.”
Her mother was a journalist, and Rothborne thought she would follow her mother into a career in journalism. But she decided to be a history major instead because she was told newspapers were a dying industry.
Her history background has given her a different perspective on approaching the news by providing more details and background.
She did say that she has never been pressured to write stories in a certain way.
“There is never any mention of who our advertisers are,” she said.
Houk said he appreciates having local media coverage but has has found it discouraging to see so much erosion of press rooms in recent years.
“It broke my heart when the Mail Tribune and Daily Tidings disappeared,” he said.
Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at [email protected].
