How can the US’s 14th largest city have the nation’s worst collection of what were once called “legitimate media”? I do not have a comprehensive answer, but I read major clues. Given the broken state of the City government and the physical and social city, and almost all of its major institutions, on one hand, we cannot be surprised. At the same time, the need for comprehensive, trustworthy news and commentary has never been greater.
I first wrote about Columbus media in July 23 in “Columbus’ identity crisis and its media,” Columbus Underground, July 23, 2021. This was an unexpected learning experience. I advanced the arguments that the city’s lack of identity was in fair measure a result of its media’s large-standing failure to engage in and support habits of responsible constructive criticism, and thus promote that kind of tradition. Instead, unchecked boosterism reign. This is especially true with respect to major institutions including the City itself, Ohio State University, and major powerful private interests. For more than a century and one-half, the Columbus Dispatch led in, and profited greatly from that.
