Ted Bridis, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Rob Hiaasen Senior Lecturer in Investigative Reporting, is the author of “The State of Journalism in 2024: Why Talk Media Needs Investigative Reporting Now More Than Ever” published on talkers.com on March 22.

Bridis writes about the current state of the journalism industry and how talk media can benefit from investigative journalism.

According to Bridis, “Universities like mine are leading the charge in a new era of journalism. The investigative, political journalism and public policy reporting classes that I teach feed directly into something near and dear to me: credibly holding powerful institutions accountable. And we’re building partnerships to help sustain the industry.”

He writes about the Fresh Take Florida news service which distributes significant reporting by undergraduate journalism students to major news outlets across Florida. The newsrooms benefit from receiving high-quality content for their readers, viewers, and listeners.

“Talk media is especially vulnerable as our journalism industry works its way through these latest challenges. It relies on journalists to unearth those hard-hitting stories, identify credible sources, and separate fact from fiction,” writes Bridis. “Here’s the truth: Talk media can’t function without a healthy investigative journalism ecosystem. They need that next generation of journalists I’m training — reporters who are not just trustworthy and credible, but efficient and effective in getting the story out quickly.”

He adds, “This is precisely why investigative journalism programs around the country and the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability are so crucial. The $25,000 Collier Prize, established at the University of Florida with a generous gift from Nathan Collier, a descendent of the family that founded the pioneering investigative journalism magazine Collier’s in the late 1880s, is one of the largest journalism awards in the country. It recognizes and celebrates the very kind of investigative reporting that underpins strong talk media.”

Posted: March 22, 2024
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, Fresh Take Florida, investigative journalism, Talk Media, Ted Bridis