Christopher Fanning - Covering Local News

Welcome back to The Kingstonian Podcast! We’re excited to kick off Season 8 with a timely discussion on the critical state of local news. In a media landscape increasingly dominated by corporate ownership, many local outlets have been forced to close, leaving communities in the dark about the issues that matter most to them.

In this episode, I speak with Christopher Fanning, an English Professor at Queen’s University, who, alongside his wife, Karen Valihora, has taken a bold step to counter this trend. Together, they purchased the Picton Gazette, the oldest weekly newspaper in Canada, with a mission to preserve and promote local journalism.

Join us as we explore their journey, the challenges they face, and the importance of local stories in fostering community connection and awareness. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, this conversation will resonate with anyone who values the role of local media in our lives.

For more information on the paper, click on https://www.pictongazette.ca

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”, by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 6pm)