Detroit Today: Veteran reporter M.L. Elrick pushes for Detroit City Hall press room
With the Detroit Free Press leaving its press room in City Hall, Elrick says Detroit officials should step up to make space available for local media.
Journalists often serve as watchdogs for the public, responsible for monitoring those in power and ensuring they are held accountable. That’s become more difficult throughout the years, as many outlets struggle with their business model — leading to cutbacks.
One example of this can be found at the Detroit Free Press. For many years, the publication has operated a press room in Detroit’s City Hall.
In doing so, its reporters have had quick access to much of what’s going on in civic politics. However, the Free Press will soon vacate its press room to cut costs.
In the wake of that announcement, local investigative reporter and columnist M.L. Elrick wrote an article suggesting city officials keep a press room in Detroit’s city hall available for the media.
“Watch dogs can’t do their jobs when they’re locked in the basement. It’s time for us to be on the front step.” — M.L. Elrick, reporter
Listen: Will city hall keep space open for journalists?
Guest
M.L. Elrick is an investigative reporter and host of the ML’s Soul of Detroit podcast. He says journalists need to have a space in City Hall in order to hold political leaders accountable and ensure the public knows what their local representatives are up to.
“Watch dogs can’t do their jobs when they’re locked in the basement,” says Elrick. “It’s time for us to be on the front step.”
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