Bridge Lunch Break to discuss media in Michigan
- Free May 28 panel discussion will take place via Zoom, include audience questions
- Michigan has lost 42% of its newspapers in the last 20 years and 65% of its newspaper jobs between 2013 and 2023
- Bridge Regional Editor Justin Hinkley will lead a panel discussion on the state of the media in northern and western Michigan as Bridge launches newsletters focused on those regions
Bridge Michigan will offer its readers a free Zoom panel discussion on the state of the media in west and northern Michigan from noon to 1 p.m. May 28.
Michigan has lost 42% of its newspapers in the last 20 years and 65% of its newspaper jobs between 2013 and 2023, according to the Local News Initiative at Northwestern University. As newspapers have scaled back, many topics and regions have gone mostly uncovered around the state, and much coverage that does exist pales in comparison to the coverage offered in days past.
As Bridge Michigan launches new newsletters focused on the northern and western parts of the state, including the Upper Peninsula, Bridge Regional Editor Justin Hinkley will lead a discussion on the state of the media in those regions with Allison Donahue, program manager at Grand Rapids nonprofit news source the Rapidian, Jonathan Seyferth, city manager of Muskegon, and Ben Slocum, chair of the board for the Petoskey Chamber.
Topics discussed will include the kinds and quality of coverage those regions receive, the importance of quality news coverage to communities, and more.
Participants can ask questions of the panelists via the Zoom chat feature throughout the event or submit a question prior to the event by filling out this form.
Pull up a chair, grab your lunch and join us for this interactive discussion.
Please fill out our Lunch Break registration form to be sent a calendar invitation to the event, including the Zoom link.
Bridge’s Lunch Break monthly series focuses on timely topics facing our state. Previous events have discussed Michigan summer tourism, the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on Michigan, the changing landscape of deer hunting in the state, spending of Michigan’s opioid settlement funds, solutions to gun violence in Michigan, Michigan’s population crisis, youth mental health in Michigan and the legacy of the automotive industry on the state’s environment and economy.
RELATED:
- Watch Bridge Lunch Break on the challenges of aging in Michigan
- Watch Bridge Lunch Break on Michigan summer tourism, impact of foreign travel
- Watch Bridge Lunch Break on the impact of the Trump policies on Michigan
How to join this live Zoom discussion
To register to participate in this hour-long discussion, please complete this form. We will send you a reminder the morning of the event, including the Zoom link.
To learn more about how to join a Zoom meeting, watch this short video. Zoom is free to use, and you can use the video call function on your computer, tablet or phone, or you can call into the meeting using the conference line function.
Member support allows us to offer engagement opportunities like this Lunch Break series. To regularly receive advance notification of what our nonprofit newsroom is planning and receive member-exclusive benefits — such as free Bridge event tickets, copies of our bimonthly Bridge Culture Club selections and more — become a Bridge Club member today.
We look forward to talking with you on May 28.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!