Newsroom employment in the United States has declined sharply over the past two decades. Thousands of reporting and editing positions have been eliminated as corporate owners cut costs and consolidate operations. According to research from Northwestern University’s Medill School, local newsrooms have lost more than half of their journalists since 2004.
With fewer reporters available, many outlets rely heavily on press releases, government statements, and pre-packaged content instead of original reporting. Media researchers often refer to this practice as “churnalism,” which describes news produced primarily from press releases with little independent investigation. 1 2
What Large Legacy Outlets Often Miss
Reduced staffing and increased production demands make deep reporting difficult. Many legacy outlets no longer have the time or resources to:
- Conduct extensive public records research
- Review original documents in detail
- Publish source materials alongside their reporting
Pew Research has documented how newsroom cuts have changed the way news is gathered, with fewer reporters responsible for more content and less time for investigation. 3
How Moccasin Wallow Media Works
We take a different approach.
We pursue original stories by reviewing public records, requesting documents, and following leads that others overlook. When we uncover information that matters to the public, we report it clearly and back it up with evidence.
Whenever possible, we publish or link to the source documents that support our reporting. We believe transparency builds trust and allows readers to verify the facts for themselves.
Local News Still Breaks the Big Stories
Although we are a small newsroom, our reporting often sets the agenda. Larger outlets frequently follow up on stories we break because original reporting starts at the local level.
Local journalism remains essential for accountability. City governments, school boards, courts, and public agencies still make decisions that affect daily life, and those decisions deserve close scrutiny.
At Moccasin Wallow Media, being first to report is not about speed alone. It is about doing the work thoroughly, accurately, and in the public interest.
Investigative local reporting takes time, effort, and resources. Moccasin Wallow Media is an independent newsroom without corporate backing, funded by readers who value original reporting, public records, and transparency. If you believe local journalism should dig deeper, share source documents, and hold decision-makers accountable, please consider supporting our work. Your contribution helps us continue breaking stories, pursuing investigations, and keeping this reporting accessible to the community.