In this Rewind episode of Five Dubs, host Rebecca Snyder speaks with Allison Taylor Levine, executive director of the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) in Delaware. Allison discusses her journey from journalism to nonprofit work, her passion for strengthening local news, and how LJI aims to support Delaware’s media ecosystem. She shares insights from the recent Delaware News Ecosystem Report, revealing how Delaware’s unique community offers a testing ground for innovative models in journalism. Tune in to hear about the launch of Spotlight Delaware, a collaborative nonprofit newsroom set to fill reporting gaps and amplify community voices. If you care about democracy, community connection, and the future of local news, this episode is a must-listen.

In this Rewind episode of Five Dubs by MDDC Press, host Rebecca Snyder sits down with Michael Fletcher from ESPN’s Enterprise Reporting Team. Michael shares his unique journey into journalism, starting from an unexpected interest in engineering to a celebrated career covering stories that intersect sports, politics, and social issues. They discuss some of his groundbreaking work, including coverage of high-profile stories like Michael Oher’s conservatorship case and Colin Kaepernick’s activism, and explore why persistence and curiosity are key to success in journalism. Tune in for insights on how journalism connects people to the powerful, frames societal issues, and plays a crucial role in democracy.

In this episode of The Five Dubs Podcast, MDDC Executive Director and Host Rebecca Snyder explores the Maryland Kids Code, a legislative effort aimed at protecting the data of minors on social media. Loyola University Maryland Philosophy Professor Nina Guise-Gerrity and student Kate McLaughlin discuss their research on the bill's implications for local journalism and media, emphasizing the balance between protecting youth and ensuring the survival of local news outlets. They highlight the challenges posed by social media and the need for responsible data handling, while also addressing concerns about the bill's potential impact on local journalism. This conversation explores the intersection of local media and social media, the challenges posed by recent legislation, and the evolving landscape of journalism, particularly in relation to youth engagement and the future of local news. The speakers discuss the implications of social media on local journalism, the complexities of legislative efforts to support local media, and the need for ongoing dialogue about the role of journalism in communities.

CLICK HERE to learn more about MD Kids Code.