At a time when democracy feels fragile and newsrooms are shrinking, Monica Campbell has spent her career asking how journalism can still serve the public good. She is Director of the California Local News Fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, and a former editor at The Washington Post and The World. Her work has focused on press freedom, disinformation, and the civic role of journalism. In this conversation, she reflects on the state of free press in the United States, what she learned reporting in Latin America, and what still gives her hope for the future of the profession.
You have worked in both international and U.S. journalism for decades. How would you describe the current state of press freedom in the United States?
Press freedom in the United States has always been tested. What we see now is a mix of political pressure and economic strain that makes newsrooms fragile. Yet at the same time there is a strong commitment among journalists and editors to defend the core values of a free press.
There are real threats, from lawsuits to attempts to limit access to institutions like the Pentagon or to redefine how the White House press corps operates. But there is also renewed energy to protect our rights. That determination is encouraging. It shows that, even under pressure, journalists in this country still understand the importance of their mission.
Many countries once looked to the United States as a model of free speech. Do you think that image still holds true?
We need to look globally for inspiration. The United States has been one important example, but there are others now. What matters is how journalists respond when their freedom is challenged. That is the real test, and we are seeing it today.
Many reporters refuse to accept new restrictions or codes of conduct designed to control access to government institutions. They continue to cover protests and political movements across the country. That resilience is part of the DNA of American journalism.
Some major media outlets have yielded to political pressure. But I see smaller local newsrooms that, despite limited resources, keep reporting daily on what happens in their neighborhoods. That persistence is courageous and deserves attention.
How should journalism schools prepare new reporters to work in this polarized environment?
We need to start by telling the truth about journalism itself. It has never been easy or comfortable. There has never been a time when it was simple or well paid. There have always been attempts to silence or intimidate journalists.
So journalism schools must teach students to know their rights, understand the history of press freedom in the United States, and be prepared to act if they are challenged. They also need to understand the business side of journalism. Running a newsroom is not something most people learn in school, but it is vital to the survival of our industry. And now, technology is another pillar of training. Reporters have to understand new tools, especially artificial intelligence, and know how to use them responsibly.
What role do you think artificial intelligence will play in journalism?
It is essential to understand how AI works and how it can be used carefully in newsrooms. It should not happen to us, it should happen with us. Journalists need to know what AI can and cannot do, and find ways to use it to strengthen reporting.
In several newsrooms where I have worked, resources are already being dedicated to studying how AI can help journalism. At Berkeley, the goal is to learn about it, not fear it. My position is simple. We must study AI, understand its power, and make sure journalists remain the ones making editorial decisions.
The term “fake news” has changed how people see the media. How has it affected public trust?
It has been devastating. Every day new platforms appear that spread misinformation. That is now a permanent feature of our information landscape.
Still, there are independent creators, podcasters, and local initiatives producing very good, reliable content. That is important to recognize. Not everyone outside the traditional press is harmful. But the challenge for professional journalism is to rebuild trust.
For too long, news organizations have told people what they should know instead of listening to what they want and need to know. We have ignored parts of society and missed stories that matter to people’s lives. That has to change.
In California, I see local newsrooms hosting public events and community meetings to understand what people care about. That kind of listening is what will help us reconnect with the public and repair trust.
You have worked at The Washington Post, The World, and reported from Mexico, Cuba, and Haiti. Which experiences most shaped your view of journalism?
My years in Mexico changed me completely. There, being a journalist can cost you your life. When I was the country representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, I documented cases of reporters who were threatened, attacked, or killed. That experience made me realize that journalism is an act of civic courage, not just a job.
It also made me appreciate the privilege of working in the United States, where most of the time you can report without fearing for your safety. But even here that sense of security is becoming more fragile. I have spoken with reporters who worry about consequences for covering protests or controversial topics. We are not immune.
At The Washington Post I saw another side of journalism, the power of large institutions. One story can change a life, influence legislation, or reach the president. Behind every article are layers of editing, fact-checking, and debate. It is a reminder that serious journalism is built on care and precision, even if the public does not always see that.
Do you still see journalism as the fourth estate?
Yes, but a more fragile one. Journalism can still hold power accountable, but only if it has resources and public trust. Without those two elements, influence fades.
The fourth estate exists only if citizens believe in it. When the public stops trusting us, we lose our ability to challenge authority. Protecting journalism is not just a media issue, it is a democratic one.
Many local newsrooms have closed or downsized. Is there still a path to rebuild strong local journalism in the U.S.?
It is difficult, but I think it is possible. I see energy and imagination in many small outlets that are trying to survive through collaboration and community support.
The economics are harsh. Media ownership is concentrated in fewer hands, and even the large companies are struggling. But many citizens still understand the value of reliable, fact-based information and are willing to support it. That gives me hope.
Depending only on philanthropy or temporary grants is not sustainable. We need public investment in journalism. Other countries have models that treat information as a public good. The BBC is one example, imperfect but instructive.
In the United States, public funding for news has declined sharply. That makes local and state initiatives even more important. In California, our fellowship is funded by the state government, which shows that some lawmakers still understand that good information is essential to democracy.
You work closely with new journalists through the fellowship. What role do you think this new generation will play in the profession?
They are vital. This generation is more diverse, brave, and socially aware. They enter journalism because they care about truth and community. That gives me enormous hope.
Many of them also come from other careers, which enriches the field. At Berkeley, we have students from science, law, and healthcare. They bring new perspectives that journalism badly needs. Their sense of purpose and openness to change inspire me every day.
What gives you hope for the future of journalism?
There is real public hunger for good, verified, local information. People want to know what is happening in their schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods. Many small newsrooms are meeting that demand.
I see reporters reinventing themselves and finding creative ways to connect with their audiences. Despite the disinformation, polarization, and economic pressures, the need for journalism is not disappearing.
What keeps me going is seeing new people enter the field every year. Students, mid-career professionals, people from all backgrounds still choose journalism. They believe it matters. That belief is what gives me energy and optimism.
Profile
Monica Campbell is Director of the California Local News Fellowship at the Graduate School of Journalism, University of California, Berkeley. She previously worked as an editor on The Washington Post’s audio team and spent nearly a decade as a senior editor and correspondent for The World, covering Latin America. Earlier in her career she served as the Committee to Protect Journalists’ representative in Mexico, documenting threats and attacks against reporters.
Her work earned a national Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Equity and Inclusion, and she was a finalist for the Mirror Award, which honors excellence in media reporting. A former Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, she is fluent in English and Spanish and collaborates with organizations that support Latino journalists in the United States. From Berkeley she continues to teach, mentor, and advocate for a resilient and inclusive future for journalism.
Alex Segura is a bilingual, multiple-platform journalist based in Southern California.
