Nancy West, Executive Editor at InDepthNH.org, had an engaging conversation with WKXL’s Ken Cail on his popular Cail & Company program. West is receiving the Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award from the New England First Amendment Coalition. Nancy will be presented with the award at an invitation-only event on June 1st.
Listen here – Soundcloud
Each year, the Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award honors “individuals who have promoted and defended the First Amendment throughout the region and advocated for the public’s right to know about government.”
Nancy talked about the loss of journalists in the state and the importance of rebuilding this profession. According to West, covering the news is harder, “simply due to a lack of staff.”
“It’s important that government has a watchdog. It’s easier when no one is watching every step you take. But that’s our job, as journalists, is to watch what the government does, report on it, make sure its understandable to the readers and the citizens of New Hampshire, and hold them accountable. I see that the fewer reporters we have in the state, the more secretive government becoming.”