I recently spoke at the University of Wisconsin’s journalism school in Madison as part of a series focused on civic dialogue. It was a chance to reflect on my career and talk with students about the future of journalism.
I’ve been fortunate to work with extraordinary journalists, from producing at 60 Minutes early in my career to later leading NBC News and Bloomberg Media. Working alongside and knowing people like Mike Wallace, Bob Woodward, and Carl Bernstein reinforced something I’ve believed ever since: journalism matters most when it holds power accountable.
Today my focus is on strengthening local nonprofit journalism, especially in communities that have become “news deserts.” In 2016, I founded Mississippi Today, now part of Deep South Today, a regional network supporting reporters across the South.
The work matters. In 2023, Mississippi Today reporter Anna Wolfe won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for uncovering the largest embezzlement of federal funds in Mississippi’s history.
When I speak with students, I often tell them the country needs strong reporting now more than ever. As I said during my visit…
“At this moment in time, if you have the talent to be a working journalist, it’s almost patriotic.”
At its core, journalism still comes down to simple questions: What is the truth? What really happened? Who did what? Strong local reporting helps communities answer those questions—and remains essential to a healthy democracy.
Read more about my discussion at the University of Wisconsin at the Badger Herald.
— Andy Lack