25 media, journalism, and communications professionals gathered at WAMU 88.5 for a roundtable in partnership with National Digital Roundtable, and the conversation turned to some of the most pressing questions in the industry today. How are audiences consuming news in an era of shrinking attention spans and shifting trust? Which formats and platforms are gaining momentum with younger and more diverse audiences? And what does authenticity really look like when information is everywhere but attention is scarce?

The discussion was lively and wide-ranging. Aaron Parnas, the #1 news influencer on Substack, shared how his 90-second, social-first news updates — often filmed casually — have built a loyal audience that doesn’t typically watch traditional news.

WAMU leaders spoke about their commitment to community-first content, explaining why they stepped away from Twitter/X to focus on channels where they can truly engage.

Others pointed to the rapid growth of nonprofit news models as a response to the decline of local newspapers, and the need for “less volume, more precision” in pitching stories to journalists.

From new digital voices to established outlets rethinking strategy, the session offered candid, forward-looking perspectives on where news is headed next. The takeaway was clear: while platforms and delivery methods will continue to evolve, the core mission — to serve audiences with accuracy, relevance, and trust — remains unchanged.

The original article was written by Paul Mackie and originally appeared on Pop Culture Lunch Box. It is repurposed here with permission. Read the complete piece on the National Digital Roundtable website.

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