KQED's Forum The Ever Shifting Landscape of Mainstream Media
Oct 9, 2025
Nick Valencia, a former CNN correspondent now running his own independent news outlet, shares how this shift allowed him to cover immigration stories with deeper trust and access. Brian Merchant, a tech journalist, discusses the challenges of achieving the same reach outside traditional media while advocating for independent voices. Alicia Kennedy, a food and culture writer, explains the highs and lows of navigating cultural criticism and sustainability in indie publishing. Together, they reveal the evolving landscape of journalism and the impact of independence on their work.
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Career Rollercoaster Of Digital Media
- Brian described moving from Vice to Medium to the LA Times and repeatedly facing mass layoffs.
- He used those experiences to explain why digital outlets failed to replace legacy media's stability.
From Copy Editor To Independent Food Writer
- Alicia narrated starting as a copy editor and moving into full-time food writing and launching her newsletter in 2020.
- She said the newsletter gave her space for essayistic cultural criticism missing from food media.
From Teleprompter To Independent Correspondent
- Nick recounted rising from teleprompter operator to CNN correspondent and then leaving after a contract dispute.
- He described launching Nick Valencia News and getting viral clips while covering street-level immigration stories.
