First Fed Community Conversation, The Importance of Local Journalism
Field Hall Presents: First Fed Community Conversation, The Importance of Local Journalism
Tuesday, April 7th @ 6PM | Donna M. Morris Theater
Free event, please RSVP | Donations appreciated
*Our ticketing platform Ludus charges a 5% service fee for all card transactions. To avoid this fee, visit our Box Office at 201 W. Front Street and pay via cash or check. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-2PM.
The Importance of Local Journalism is a thought-provoking evening featuring a panel of regional media experts discussing the vital role of local news in civic life, the challenges facing journalism today, and how communities can support a thriving, trustworthy press. Moderated by Brown Maloney (Radio Pacific) and featuring Briar Dudley (Save the Free Press initiative, Seattle Times), Lloyd Mullen (Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader), and Amy Jeffries (KNKX Public Radio).
This is a free event with general admission seating in the Donna M. Morris Theater. Donations are appreciated.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
MODERATOR: BROWN MALONEY, Radio Pacific
Brown McClatchy Maloney, has been a director of McClatchy since September 2004. Mr. Maloney is the owner of Radio Pacific and the operator of KONP radio, an ABC affiliate, and two additional radio stations in western Washington State. Mr. Maloney is also the owner of Olympic View Properties and Cedar Ridge Properties, both Washington state real estate companies. In addition, Mr. Maloney serves as a member of the board of directors of The Seattle Times Company. From 1988 through November 2011, he was the owner of Olympic View Publishing, a weekly newspaper company in Washington State. From 1974 to 1987, prior to his ownership of Olympic View Publishing and Radio Pacific, Mr. Maloney held various circulation and advertising positions at the Anchorage Daily News, The Sacramento Bee and The Fresno Bee. He served as the president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association from 1996 to 1997 and is the former president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Mr. Maloney’s ownership of various newspapers and radio stations provides him with valuable insight into McClatchy’s business strategy and industry challenges. He also has valuable executive leadership, management and entrepreneurial experience.
PANELIST & SPEAKER: BRIER DUDLEY, Save the Free Press initiative, Seattle Times
Brier Dudley is the Editor of the Save the Free Press initiative at The Seattle Times, a position he has held since January 2021. Mr. Dudley has been a member of The Seattle Times staff for over 23 years, during which time he has served in various capacities including editorial board member, columnist, and reporter. He currently leads the company’s efforts to report on the local journalism crisis and advocates for the sustainability of independent media.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Dudley spent five years as an editorial writer and opinion columnist, where he covered regional policy, business, and trade. From 2000 to 2014, he served as a technology columnist and senior reporter, chronicling the growth of major Pacific Northwest technology firms. His earlier professional experience includes reporting roles at the Tacoma News Tribune and the Yakima Herald-Republic, as well as a tenure with the Associated Press in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Dudley is a graduate of Whitman College and has completed fellowships at UC Berkeley’s Knight Digital Media Center and the East-West Center. His extensive experience across news, opinion, and advocacy provides him with unique insight into the evolving business models and industry challenges facing local newspapers.
PANELIST AND SPEAKER – AMY JEFFRIES, KNKX Public Radio
Amy Jeffries is the Assistant News Director at KNKX Public Radio, a position she has held since joining the station’s leadership team. In this role, she oversees daily news operations and investigative reporting, contributing to a newsroom that recently earned the 2024 national Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence.
Ms. Jeffries has extensive experience as a reporter, producer, and editor within the public radio system. Prior to her tenure at KNKX, she served as the Daily News Editor at WUNC in Chapel Hill, managing day-to-day coverage of regional politics and social issues. She was also a founding editor of the Kansas News Service, where she led collaborative reporting teams and managed the award-winning podcast My Fellow Kansans. Her earlier career includes serving as the News Director for WRKF in Baton Rouge and reporting for various outlets including Patch, GlobalPost, and the Associated Press.
She holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wesleyan University and a Master of Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. Her background in both traditional broadcast and digital-first platforms provides her with significant expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of public media and multi-platform storytelling.
