PORT ANGELES — A panel discussion on the importance of local journalism drew a large crowd to the Field Arts & Events Hall on Tuesday evening, April 22. Held in the Donna M. Morris Theater, the event honored the late John Brewer, longtime editor and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News.

The forum, titled Community Conversation: The Importance of Local Journalism, featured five panelists including Eran Kennedy, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette, and Forks Forum; Briar Dudley, editor of The Seattle Times Save the Free Press initiative; Radio Pacific owner Brown Maloney; Peninsula Daily News reporter Emma Maple; and Peninsula College instructor Rich Riski. Retired journalist and professor George Erb served as moderator.

Kennedy emphasized journalism’s critical role in democracy and discussed challenges facing the industry, including proposed solutions like Washington state’s Senate Bill 5400, which would tax major tech companies to help fund local news. “There are many sources these days for news, but there is only a small number of trained journalists who create original content,” Kennedy said. Kennedy also talked about the impact of COVID and circulation challenges.

Maloney shared his thoughts on what the community can do to support local news sources, “Subscribe, support and encourage others to subscribe. We need you, it is really important.” He also encouraged support of those who support the papers through advertising.

The forum also celebrated Brewer’s legacy, coming together a few months after his unexpected passing during a fishing trip in Montana on April 19, 2024. Steven Raider-Ginsburg, executive director of Field Arts & Events Hall, and event sponsor First Fed helped organize the gathering.

The free event was sponsored by First Fed and the Port Angeles Kiwanis Noon Club and was livestreamed on YouTube. If you missed it, it can still be viewed at www.youtube.com/live/tvzEMi3vdTc.