Lakewood City Council voices concerns over declining coverge

Members of our bargaining unit met with the Lakewood City Council Tuesday to ask for the city's support in our fight to preserve local journalism.

Press-Telegram reporters Joe Segura and Karen Robes addressed the council on behalf of their fellow journalists. Robes once covered Lakewood for the paper, and was a familiar face to many on the council. The frank description of conditions inside the newsroom led city officials to express their own sense of disappointment and frustration over the declining coverage and quality of the Press-Telegram.

Although the Ralph M. Brown Act limits the ability of local government to address unscheduled items, council members asked that the Guild meet with city officials to examine the issue further and determine how the city might help protect community journalism.

We'd like to thank the Lakewood City Council for allowing us the time to speak with them, and for their support. Civic leaders understand that local journalism is a key part of any community. The loss of reporters and coverage can't help but negatively impact us all.