Why the ‘Seattle is Dying’ conversation won’t die
This past March, KOMO television broadcast a news special titled ‘Seattle is Dying.’
The piece struck a chord with many Seattleites frustrated by how we handle drug abuse and homelessness here. It also drew heated critiques for its portrayal of the problem and its journalistic methods.
The Seattle City Club hosted a Civic Cocktail discussion to dig deeper into the controversy. They gathered key players and journalists for a sober debate of the issues surrounding KOMO’s special and the topics it considers.
Journalist Joni Balter is the host of Civic Cocktail. She was joined by public-health manager Thea Oliphant-Wells, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes and KOMO News Director Bill Dallman. Guests journalists were KUOW’s Angela King and KVI Radio host John Carlson.
In the second part of the conversation, KUOW’s Bill Radke and Live Wire and TBTL host Luke Burbank gave both serious and lighter takes on the issue and Seattle culture in general.
This event took place at the Tom Douglas Palace Ballroom on May 1. KUOW’s Sonya Harris recorded the conversation.
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John O'Brien
Senior Producer, All Things Considered
John O’Brien is KUOW's All Things Considered Senior Producer. He spends his days setting up interviews with newsmakers on subjects from politics and public health to arts and culture. John learned to make radio starting in 2006 as an intern on KUOW’s The Conversation with Ross Reynolds.
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