The Slow Death of Local News and Its Impact on Critical Thinking

The Slow Death of Local News and Its Impact on Critical Thinking

Author: Gwendolyn Dolske, PhD & Rudy Salo | Philosophy & Education Podcast April 15, 2026 Duration: 41:14

What happens when local journalism disappears, and how does it affect democracy, critical thinking, and informed citizens?

Is local journalism disappearing, and what does that mean for democracy?

In this episode of Good Is In The Details, we speak with journalist Liz Farmer about the decline of local press, the economics of modern media, and why journalism is essential for an informed public.

As news consumption increasingly shifts toward national outlets, social media, and algorithm-driven content, many communities are losing access to local reporting. But what happens when citizens no longer have reliable information about their own cities, policies, and elected officials?

We explore:

  • The "death of local news" and its real-world impact
  • How journalism helps citizens understand public policy and government spending
  • Why local reporting is essential for informed voting and civic engagement
  • The role of journalism in developing critical thinking skills
  • How echo chambers and media consolidation narrow public understanding
  • What is lost when readers stop engaging deeply with information

Drawing from her work covering state and local fiscal policy, Liz Farmer explains how journalists translate complex issues—like budgets, taxes, and public spending—into accessible knowledge for everyday citizens.

This episode asks an urgent question:
Can democracy function without a well-informed public?

If you've ever wondered:

  • Why is local journalism important?
  • What is happening to local news in the U.S.?
  • How does media affect democracy and voting?
  • Why is critical thinking declining?
  • How do we evaluate sources and credibility?

This conversation offers a powerful and timely perspective.

🎧 Listen now to understand why journalism, and the ability to think critically about information, matters more than ever.

Learn more about Liz Farmer's work: https://www.farmersfieldonline.com

Be part of our community on Patreon where the Philosophy continues...https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails

Sharpen your podcast skills with Interview with Intention on Amazon.

Get in touch: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com

To explore more episodes, recommended readings, and podcast resources, click here

Resources for donating: https://kffhealthnews.org and https://www.propublica.org


Hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D., and Rudy Salo, Good Is In The Details operates on the belief that the most profound insights are often hidden in plain sight, waiting to be unpacked. This philosophy and education podcast doesn't just skim the surface of big topics; it lingers there, examining the nuances of how we think, learn, and ultimately live our lives. You'll hear thoughtful, meandering conversations with scholars, authors, and practitioners from diverse fields, all centered on how ideas from ethics, culture, and critical thinking intersect with our daily realities. The hosts have a knack for breaking down complex academic concepts without losing their depth, making each episode feel like an engaging seminar you can enjoy on a walk or during your commute. Rather than offering easy answers, this podcast provides the tools and perspectives to ask better questions, finding the substance in the subtleties that we often overlook. It’s for anyone who believes that understanding the framework of an argument or the history of a thought is just as important as the conclusion. Tune in for a consistently thoughtful exploration of the books, theories, and cultural forces that quietly shape our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Good Is In The Details
Podcast Episodes
Embrace the New: Ideas, Career Shifts, and Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
Gwendolyn Dolske partners with The Modern Day Wife and explores the career shifts of women in business. What are the first steps to bringing one's idea to life? What is the disposition of the successful woman? We learn h…
BMI, Health, and the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo welcome back Rich Fahmy, MS, CPT, CWC, CES, PES (National Academy of Sports Medicine). What is BMI? How can we understand cultural attitudes around weight and diet vs health? What are some…
The Skill of Caregiving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:56
Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo welcome back Dr. Kate Mangino (Equal Partners). Gwendolyn asks Kate's thoughts on a recent push to end no fault divorce in a few districts. How do ideas about marriage and divorce reflect g…
Medical Ethics and The Retrievals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
Gwendolyn Dolske talks with Dr. Kate Madorin and Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi about their thoughts on the popular podcast The Retrievals (from This American Life). How is women's pain understood and communicated? What is the…
Honor your Talent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:29
In memory of Brittany Delaney of https://www.blacktablearts.org
Encore: How to Recover Creativity and Empathy in Work Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:43
Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo talk with Dr. Michaela O'Donnell about her book Make Work Matter. What can theology teach us about our approach to work? How has the pandemic shaped our ideas of work? What is the role of e…
True Crime and Society: The Black Dahlia, Media, and Human Curiosity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
Why are we so fascinated by true crime, and what does that say about us? In this episode of Good Is In The Details, we explore the cultural, psychological, and philosophical dimensions of true crime through one of the mo…
Does Free Will Exist? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:24
Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo interview Philosophy Professor Dr. Gregg Caruso (SUNY Corning), author of Rejecting Retributivism. Free Will, Punishment, and Criminal Justice. We discuss the meaning of free will, what is…
The Philosophy of The Godfather Trilogy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:57
Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo welcome philosophers Richard Greene and Joshua Heter to discuss the film The Godfather. What philosophical lessons and ideas come through in the film? How are we to understand justice? Loya…