Penny Abernathy’s research on news deserts has influenced the national conversation over the future of journalism, writes Ferrel Guillory in a column for EducationNC, in which he offers commentary on a recent lecture by Martin “Marty” Baron, executive editor at The Washington Post, held at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
EducationNC
, an online news site focusing on North Carolina education issues, was a 2018-19 participant in the UNC-Knight Foundation Table Stakes Newsroom Initiative. Guillory, a professor of the practice at UNC Hussman, serves as EducationNC’s vice chair and editorial advisor.
Abernathy’s research from her recent report “News Deserts and Ghost Newspapers: Will Local News Survive?” — her fourth published since 2016 — added context to the EdNC column’s commentary on the lecture, in which Baron highlighted the critical need for strong media during a time when economic pressures have shuttered media outlets around the country, and the public’s understanding of the media’s role in democracy is eroding.