On April 21, investigative journalist Tim White delivered an eye-opening message about the future of local news as part of URI’s Taricani Visiting Journalist Series. Speaking at the Higgins Welcome Center, White emphasized that local journalism is “under assault,” not only by economic pressures but also by legal and systemic threats that could reshape the industry.

The annual lecture series honors the legacy of Jim Taricani, a veteran Rhode Island investigative reporter known for his commitment to protecting journalistic integrity and First Amendment rights. Established after his passing in 2019, the series brings in established journalists to discuss the importance of a free press

“As a champion of the news media’s first amendment rights, Jim was dedicated to protecting those rights, which he saw as critically important to our society,” said Justin Wyatt, interim director of the Harrington School.

White, an investigative reporter for WPRI 12 and a longtime member of the New England First Amendment Coalition, has built a distinguished career in journalism. He has earned multiple Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for his reporting and recently completed a master’s degree in law from Roger Williams University, where he now teaches journalism and media law.

Throughout the lecture, White stressed that local journalism is not just a business or a career, but a public service. He described reporters as a “last resort” for individuals who have exhausted all other options. Without local reporters holding officials accountable, corruption can go unchecked and cost communities a critical layer of control.

“It is the mechanism by which communities hold power accountable,” White said. “Contracts get awarded to the wrong people, politicians stop showing up and nobody notices.”

White pointed to investigative work done by his team at WPRI’s Target 12 as an example of how impactful local reporting can be, noting that their coverage has led to public officials being removed from office and even indicted. Despite these successes, though, the foundation of local journalism is becoming increasingly unstable.

One of the most pressing threats is the growing use of the legal system to target journalists. While the courts have historically helped define and protect First Amendment rights, he argued they are now being used to silence reporters, particularly at the local level.

“[These] lawsuits and the bricks are part of the same playbook,” White said. “They both have the same goal.”

White pointed to investigative work done by his team at WPRI’s Target 12 as an example of how impactful local reporting can be, noting that their coverage has led to public officials being removed from office and even indicted. Despite these successes, however, the foundation of local journalism is becoming increasingly unstable.

One of the most pressing threats is the growing use of the legal system to target journalists. White explained that lawsuits can force smaller newsrooms into difficult positions, where simply defending the truth becomes financially unsustainable. While larger media organizations may be able to settle these costs, local outlets often cannot, creating a dangerous “chilling effect.”

This pressure is amplified by the rise of social media platforms, which compete directly with traditional news outlets for attention but operate under different standards. Unlike journalists, who are held accountable through libel laws and ethical codes, online platforms are shielded from liability for their content. As a result, misinformation spreads rapidly without consequence, often overtaking verified reporting.

White describes this shift through his experience covering breaking news, noting how modern journalists must not only report facts quickly but also actively combat false narratives circulating online.

At the center of these concerns is the potential diminishing of long-standing legal protections for journalists, including the landmark Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan. The ruling established the “actual malice” standard, requiring public officials to prove that false statements were made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth in order to win a defamation case. White warned that efforts to overturn or weaken this precedent could fundamentally alter the ability of journalists to investigate powerful figures without fear of legal repercussions.

Despite these challenges, White emphasized that solutions are still possible. He pointed to both historical examples and current legislative efforts, encouraging state lawmakers to take action by strengthening protections for journalists at the local level. By codifying press protections into state law, communities can help preserve accountability even if federal standards change.

White’s message returned to the legacy of Jim Taricani, whose refusal to reveal a confidential source demonstrated the level of integrity the profession demands. Taricani’s decision was not just about protecting a single source, but about maintaining trust between journalists and the public. Without that trust, the foundation of investigative reporting begins to fade.

“Journalism is not about the story you are telling today,” White said. “It is about the next one.”

In an era defined by misinformation, legal uncertainty, and rapid technological change, the responsibility to defend a free press has never been more urgent.

Written by Erin Malinn ’28, journalism, Intern for the College of Arts and Sciences