Swain County News & Information Focus Group

33 Fryemont Street,Bryson City NC 28713

09 August, 2022

Description

If you’re interested in reliable access to news and information in Swain County, then join us for this special event. Carolina Public Press and the NC Local News Workshop are interested in learning how folks in communities like yours find and use the news and information you need. The COVID pandemic has highlighted a “digital divide” in our state. Too many households—a lot of them in WNC communities like yours—don’t have reliable internet access. Even in places where internet access is possible, too often it’s not affordable. And when there’s a crisis, not having internet service becomes an even bigger crisis. The Swain County Focus Group is an informal, small-group session aimed at uncovering where the news gaps are in this community, why they’re there, and what news organizations can do to help. Representatives from Carolina Public Press and the NC Local News Workshop will lead the group in a structured conversation, so that participants can share their thoughts and experiences in an open and relaxed environment. This special event is limited to 15 participants and includes a light lunch. Please Share Your Thoughts If you’re unable to attend in person, we still want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes at your convenience to fill out these two short surveys: WNC News & Information Survey – bit.ly/wnc-news-surveyNC Connection: Closing the News Gap – bit.ly/cppgni22About the Co-hosts This focus group is a collaboration between two organizations, Carolina Public Press and the NC Local News Workshop. Carolina Public Press is a nonprofit, independent and investigative news organization leading a statewide research project, “NC Connection: Closing the News Gap.” The NC Local News Workshop, which supports news organizations across the state, is conducting the “WNC Research & Community Listening Project” to learn where and how WNC residents get the news and information they need.