New podcast explores innovative solutions for local journalism’s future

The first season of a new podcast created by the Institute for Media and Public Trust, “Exploring Journalism’s Future,” is now available on YouTube, I Heart Radio and other podcast platforms. In a recent episode, Lauren Gustus, CEO and executive editor of The Salt Lake Tribune discusses the challenges of journalism today.

Founded in 1871, The Salt Lake Tribune, the prominent newspaper in the area, was owned by various private owners until 1997, when it was sold to corporate interests. In the early 2000s, the newspaper industry faced instability with the emergence of the Internet, and in 2010, it was sold again to a New York-based hedge fund. Just a few years later, amid financial struggles, layoffs gutted the newsroom. 

In 2016, Utah businessman Paul Huntsman bought the embattled newspaper. Even with Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage, financial instability threatened the long-term success of the Tribune, prompting Huntsman to apply for nonprofit status. In late 2019, The Salt Lake Tribune became the first legacy newspaper in the U.S. to transform into a nonprofit entity. The new funding structure added philanthropic donations to the existing advertising and subscriptions, bringing a renewed commitment to community-focused journalism.

“We are more transparent than most news organizations, in part because we have to be,” Gustus said on Episode 4 of the podcast. “It feels more collaborative, more open than what you may see in other newsrooms. We are regularly asking people to support us and to share their treasure, which is not insignificant. We’ve become a lot more disciplined about that strategic plan and about the value that we can deliver to Utah.”

This story of reinvention and survival is one of the transformative journalism narratives examined on the new podcast “Exploring Journalism’s Future.” The podcast engages in conversations with thought leaders in journalism nationwide. It opens a dialogue that analyzes the challenges to the traditional local media model and explores solutions through innovative funding and content models. 

The podcast is the brainchild of Jim Boren, executive director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust. He observed that many local news organizations are struggling to be profitable as news consumption shifts to online. Many organizations are failing, leaving some cities and communities nationwide without local news outlets.

“We have this broken business model where the advertising that used to prop up most newsrooms is no longer at the forefront,” Boren said. “Big-tech actually has scooped that off…Google, Facebook and others. And now we’re trying to look for ways in the industry to be able to fund a newsroom of journalists.”

“Exploring Journalism’s Future” is hosted by Professor Betsy Hays and edited by Fresno State media, communications and journalism alumnus and Dean’s Medalist Lucca Lorenzi.

“The agenda is for us collectively to figure out a way to enhance journalism, to grow in places where there are news deserts or news mirages, which is when it’s almost a desert,” Hays said. “One of the missions of the podcast is not for it to be a quick sound bite but for it to be 45-minute-ish conversation. So, we really get into the weeds on some of these business models.”

The Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State is committed to improving media literacy and enhancing public trust in journalism. The institute promotes ethical standards, transparency and accountability in media practices, and supports investigative and public service journalism. 

The institute also sponsors the Journalists of Color training program that seeks to increase diversity in Valley newsrooms and the health care reporting fellowship dedicated to producing comprehensive coverage of critical health issues impacting the Valley.