As Washington’s local-news fellowship takes shape, one thing is already clear.
The program, which is placing eight journalists at local news outlets starting early next year, will provide just a fraction of what’s needed to restore and sustain essential, civic news coverage.
That profound need was apparent in 40 applications from news outlets vying for the eight fellows, who will be placed by Washington State University’s Murrow School.
Ben Shors, the school’s journalism chair, said reading the applications is “sobering, to consider the need that’s out there.”
“It really drives home to you the depth and the breadth of the information needs across the state,” he said. “It’s not a rural issue or a Puget Sound issue, it’s not limited to just one platform. We’re seeing this across the information sector, the news media or how you want to discuss it.”