Local Journalist Heroes: Keri Blakinger
“There are just more prisons and jails than there are reporters to cover them right now.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Victoria Merlino
“Local news just gets things done. Simple as that.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Corrinne Hess
“I think during this pandemic, local news plays the most vital role in keeping people informed.” More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s a new normal, where all kinds of actors. . . around the world have recognized that they can, incredibly cheaply, purvey propagandistic messages.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Jeff Goertzen
“When we publish a COVID-19 related story, we ask how can this empower people right now to protect their families.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Texas Observer Staff
“We are constantly looking for stories that have been overshadowed or communities that are under-covered—and unfortunately, those are often among the most vulnerable.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Lyndsey Gilpin
This Q&A is part of Local Heroes: Journalists Covering COVID-19, PEN America’s series spotlighting local journalists across the country in celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2020, elevating the… More
Local Journalist Heroes: Mike and Brandi Simons
“It goes without saying that less staff covers less news. And we are covering news that people desperately need now.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Connor Sheets
“Without local journalism, I honestly don’t know where people would turn for information about what’s going on in their communities.” More
Local Journalist Heroes: Alysia Harris and Anna Simonton
This Q&A is part of Local Heroes: Journalists Covering COVID-19, PEN America's series spotlighting local journalists across the country in celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2020, elevating the… More