Executive Director, Montana Free Press

Between 1970 and 2016 more than 500 daily newspapers closed their doors, and countless others shrank their newsrooms in the wake of diminished earnings from traditional print advertising.

A recent study found that when local newspapers close, government costs go up. When reporters aren’t keeping a close eye on government, we all lose. If there’s a bright spot in journalism, it’s the rise of nonprofit news organizations. Major nonprofit foundations, corporations, businesses, and individuals who understand the important role watchdog reporting plays in a civil society are stepping up to fund nonprofit news organizations.

Great Falls Rising will host John Adams for a discussion of the critical role nonprofit news organizations play in filling the watchdog reporting gap in a rapidly changing media environment.

For more event information visit Great Falls Rising’s website.