Poynter reported that a Pew Research Center census found a bit of an increase in the number of statehouse reporters across the country. The latest data is in comparison to a report done in 2014.
The study said most of the increase comes from nonprofit digital startups and the work of college students. TV and radio numbers remain about the same, and the number of statehouse reporters for newspapers continues to decline.
In addition, more of the reporters are part-time journalists and fewer are working full-time. Wire service coverage has also declined.
Shop Talk is a weekly panel discussion about journalism issues. This week’s program featured Will Buss, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and advises the student editors at the Western Courier, the students at student radio station The Dog, and the WIU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists; Rajvee Subramanian, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University; and TSPR News Director Rich Egger.
