The Agora Center of the University of Oregon is hosting listening sessions in Newport on Saturday and Lincoln City on Sunday a free screening of the documentary “Stripped for Parts” on Saturday afternoon.

By the Lincoln Chronicle

The University of Oregon project studying how news and information circulates and is used by Lincoln County residents will culminate in two days of events Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28-March 1.

Over the past six years, Andrew DeVigal, director of the UO’s Agora Journalism Center and his students have spent winter term delving into the question of community engagement and the connections to local news in mostly rural communities ranging from Hermiston, to LaPine, to the Rogue Valley and last year Florence and Oakridge.

In January and February it was Lincoln County’s turn to weigh in.

More than 800 people – more than any of the study’s previous efforts – turned in surveys of how they found and used news and information in Lincoln County.

Now DeVigal and his students are holding two community listening sessions and their local partners are sponsoring a screening and discussion of the news documentary “Stripped for Parts – American Journalism on the Brink.”

“We approach this work with a core belief — individuals most affected by information challenges often possess the most valuable insights and solutions,” DeVigal said in announcing the three events. “During the weekend of Feb. 28 and March 1, we will host two in-person listening sessions to share high-level early insights from the responses, along with a few emerging observations and recommendations from our research team.”

The first public session is noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Newport.

The second session is noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Lincon City Cultural Center.

Registration is encouraged through Eventbrite in order to plan seating and provide a light lunch.

What to expect

A listening session is a facilitated community conversation that centers on residents’ experiences. Unlike presentations or panels, these sessions provide time to listen, reflect, and learn collectively about the impact of local information on daily life and civic health, DeVigal said.

“Our objective is to gather a broad range of perspectives from across Lincoln County,” he said.

During the session, DeVigal and his students will:

Give an overview of early survey findings;
Facilitate conversations focused on local information, trust, and civic health; and
Provide opportunities to share experiences, concerns, and ideas.

“It’s a welcoming space designed for dialogue, not debate,” DeVigal said.

Documentary showing

As part of the weekend, there will be a free public screening of the award-winning documentary Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink at the Doerfler Family Theater in the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center in Newport.

The documentary examines how a secretive hedge fund has acquired numerous local newspapers nationwide and how journalists and communities are responding.

While the event is free, registration through Eventbrite is requested.

After the film, attendees are invited to stay for a panel discussion focused on the health of local news and information. Panelists include Rachel Smolkin, president and chief executive officer of Oregon Public Broadcasting; Quinton Smith, founder and editor of the Lincoln Chronicle; Patrick Alexander, owner and publisher of Oregon Coast Today; and, Dave Price, a former newspaper executive and now vice president for engagement at Oregon Coast Community College.

“This event is part of a larger effort to learn about the information needs of Lincoln County residents and to see how local journalism helps build civic life, trust, and community ties,” DeVigal said.

In addition to the UO, Lincoln County Civic Information Initiative partners include the Lincoln Chronicle, Oregon Coast Today, Oregon Public Broadcasting, the city of Lincoln City, Oregon Coast Community College, the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln County League of Women Voters, the city of Newport, the Lincoln County School District, and the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce.