Notes on a Free Press

I am dismayed and saddened by the dismantling of what was once my newspaper home, The Washington Post. I wrote hundreds of stories for the paper over my seven years there in the late 90s to mid- 00s, and felt undeniably supported by the Graham family. It was a heyday – Mrs. Graham held court in her private dining room, Ben Bradlee worked the newsroom, stopping desk by desk, and it was a thrill to get a Donnygram – a note from Don Graham about a story you wrote.

I was hired as a technology culture columnist for the Business section and covered the swift rise of tech fortunes and egos as the business people began to influence sports, philanthropy, and politics. My first book, “The Dinner Club,” expanded on a front page Washington Post story that chronicled that time.

Right now, my heart aches personally for all the stellar reporters, photographers, and other Posties who were laid off. I’m part of a list serv for former Post people and the details keep coming, each one devastating and as you might imagine – well reported, sourced and nuanced. The best published story I’ve seen on the bloodbath is former Postie Ruth Marcus’ story in The New Yorker.

With the eradication of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and cuts in public media, you might think it’s the end of journalism as we know it. And maybe it is. But I’m still a believer in the future and absolute necessity of a free press. And the need for a network of independent journalists, news organizations and higher education centers working together to illuminate our lives. I was so encouraged recently as a judge listening to audio stories from college students in the news podcast division of the Illinois College Press Association. Journalists – new and experienced - still want to cover the news, hold people accountable and write beautifully.

I’d love to hear what some of you are reading and listening to these days – from traditional news sources or others. Here are a few that I’m happy exist:

Wonder Cabinet – My friends and former TTBOOK colleagues Anne Strainchamps and Steve Paulson have just launched their new podcast, Wonder Cabinet. I loved the interview with physicist Carlo Rovelli.

Project C – Liz Kelly Nelson, who I worked with at the Post, has created a vibrant community of independent journalists. Because even those of us working alone need others.

Ron Charles’ Substack – The Post’s Book World section was gutted, but Ron who had written the funny and fascinating “Book Club” newsletter is out with his own new missive, with his familiar voice on literary life.

–            Shannon