E111: ProJourn Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

E111: ProJourn Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Author: MDDC Press Association April 16, 2025 Duration: 39:55

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Christina Piaia, Deputy Director of the ProJourn Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Christina shares how ProJourn supports journalists and independent newsrooms with free legal resources like pre-publication reviews, public records access and non-editorial legal checkups. They discuss why bold local journalism needs strong legal backing, how ProJourn is training the next generation of media law attorneys and what reporters should know to protect their work and their newsrooms. Whether you're a freelance journalist or part of a growing newsroom, this conversation is packed with essential insights on navigating today’s legal challenges.


Ever wonder how a major local story really came together, or what a reporter was thinking when they asked that tough question? Five Dubs Podcast pulls back the curtain on the newsrooms across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Hosts Rebecca Snyder and Kevin Berrier, through the MDDC Press Association, sit down with the journalists themselves to explore the how and why behind the headlines you read each day. This isn't just a recap of the news; it's a conversation about the process, the challenges, and the sometimes surprising human stories that unfold during the pursuit of a story. In each episode, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it takes to cover communities in this dynamic region, from the initial tip to the published piece. The Five Dubs Podcast offers a unique, insider perspective on the function and future of local media, making the landscape of regional journalism more accessible and understandable. It’s for anyone curious about the mechanics of news gathering and the people dedicated to telling our local stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Five Dubs Podcast
Podcast Episodes
E165: Rethinking Voter Guides with Simon Galperin of the Jersey Bee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:09
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Simon Galperin of the Jersey Bee about rethinking the traditional voter guide to better serve modern audiences. Simon shares how his team approached building a guide that is more acces…
E164: Groundbreaking Local News Legislation with Steve Waldman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:30
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Steve Waldman of Rebuild Local News about emerging legislation designed to support and sustain local journalism. Steve explains the policy ideas gaining traction at both the state and…
E162: Rookie of the Year 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
In this episode, Rebecca is joined by several nominees for MDDC’s Rookie of the Year award, highlighting early-career journalists making an impact across the region. The conversation features Kennedy Thomason of Caroline…
E161: Story Sharing through Plucky Wire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Johnny Bassett of Plucky Wire about a new approach to story sharing that’s helping newsrooms collaborate more efficiently. Johnny explains how the platform grew out of the Granite Stat…
E160: Meet Audrey Cooper, Editor of the Banner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:44
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Audrey Cooper, executive editor of The Baltimore Banner, about her path to leading one of the country’s most closely watched local newsrooms. Audrey reflects on her career across print…
E159: How One Publisher Turned Local Sports Into a Revenue Engine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:14
In this episode, Kevin talks with Sam Dixon, publisher of Sports Weekly+, about how a one-person effort covering high school sports grew into a thriving local media brand. Sam shares how he identified a gap in coverage d…
E156: Changing Gears: A Lookback with Executive Editor Jim Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Executive Editor Jim Johnson as he reflects on a 50-year career in journalism. From his early days in California to building and leading community newspapers in Maryland, Jim share…