Paul Bass Photo
A trio from a Japanese newspaper popped in to the Independent’s newsroom Thursday afternoon in search of optimism.
“I am pessimistic” about the future of the news industry, reported Toshihiro Yamanaka, a senior correspondent from the Hong Kong Bureau of The Asahi Shimun, “Japan’s leading newspaper.”
Yamanaka, researcher Maya Robinson, and photographer Mari Sakamoto (pictured above) are traveling the country in search of antidotes, corners where the future might look brighter. Yamanaka said he was heartened to hear that the Independent is approaching its 10th anniversary. He said it seems that New Haven and other cities with enduring not-for-profit daily public-interest local news sites (San Diego, St. Paul, Austin/Texas) might offer reason for optimism. He asked probing questions about business models and local news reporting.
We reported that, yes, this seems to be the most exciting time in decades to be a journalist — at least from our perch at 51 Elm St.
Then we pointed the crew down the street to the world headquarters of SeeClickFix, where the true revolution has been hatched.
Yamanaka offered thanks for the conversation, along with a present.
Thanks for sending them over Paul. It was fun to have them in the office.