Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 36 minutes ago
American journalism is at a crossroads. In this riveting talk, Washington Post reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia unpacks the seismic changes in the media landscape—from the rise of digital platforms and algorithms to the tragic disappearance of over 3,200 local newspapers since 2005. With firsthand insight, he explains how legacy institutions like the Post and the Times are navigating a transformed ecosystem, while exploring what’s being lost in smaller communities as coverage and credibility shrink.
One of the most compelling moments in the discussion revolves around Roig-Franzia's award-winning investigation into a documentary that led to a tragic death in Afghanistan. He describes the ethical lapses, the warnings that were ignored, and the ultimate removal of the film by National Geographic after the Washington Post’s exposé. It's a powerful case study in the global consequences of domestic journalistic decisions.
The conversation also touches on trust in the media, social media's corrosive effect on editorial standards, and the divide between liberal and conservative information bubbles. From analyzing podcast influence in presidential campaigns to reflecting on the public’s eroding faith in once-venerated institutions, Roig-Franzia doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions. He even explores his own role in the system—recalling times when his reporting sparked massive national debate.
Manuel Roig-Franzia is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and author who has spent over two decades at The Washington Post. A former bureau chief in both Mexico City and Miami, his reporting spans the globe and includes major profiles, political investigations, and cultural commentary. He is also the author of a biography on Marco Rubio and a recipient of the prestigious Mirror Award for media reporting.
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American journalism is at a crossroads. In this riveting talk, Washington Post reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia unpacks the seismic changes in the media landscape—from the rise of digital platforms and algorithms to the tragic disappearance of over 3,200 local newspapers since 2005. With firsthand insight, he explains how legacy institutions like the Post and the Times are navigating a transformed ecosystem, while exploring what’s being lost in smaller communities as coverage and credibility shrink.
One of the most compelling moments in the discussion revolves around Roig-Franzia's award-winning investigation into a documentary that led to a tragic death in Afghanistan. He describes the ethical lapses, the warnings that were ignored, and the ultimate removal of the film by National Geographic after the Washington Post’s exposé. It's a powerful case study in the global consequences of domestic journalistic decisions.
The conversation also touches on trust in the media, social media's corrosive effect on editorial standards, and the divide between liberal and conservative information bubbles. From analyzing podcast influence in presidential campaigns to reflecting on the public’s eroding faith in once-venerated institutions, Roig-Franzia doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions. He even explores his own role in the system—recalling times when his reporting sparked massive national debate.
Manuel Roig-Franzia is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and author who has spent over two decades at The Washington Post. A former bureau chief in both Mexico City and Miami, his reporting spans the globe and includes major profiles, political investigations, and cultural commentary. He is also the author of a biography on Marco Rubio and a recipient of the prestigious Mirror Award for media reporting.
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for free livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
