News of recent staff departures and turnover at the News Journal point to the possibility of a “news desert” at Delaware’s doorstep.
The term is used in journalism circles to describe communities and beats that remain largely uncovered as print and electronic media scale back.
While other areas of the country saw deeper cuts, Delaware seemed to fare well by comparison.
That may have changed as the News Journal continues to cut positions and deals with high turnover from those moving on to other opportunities. (See story above).
This comes on top of the loss of institutional knowledge when virtually all long-time staffers took buyouts.
While many of us have long had problems what many perceived as the overbearing and self-righteous editorial stance of the News Journal, a world without a watchdog over government and other institutions is a scary prospect.
The paper and website continue to tout their investigative prowess, but a lack of boots on the ground and a large number of uncovered topics makes that boast seem rather hollow.
It may be time for those interest in quality journalism to consider an independent nonprofit news operation in Delaware with the resources necessary in tracking government and a changing economy.
