Save the Date: Newspaper Doc “Citizen McCaw” Returns on Sept. 27 for Free, One-Time Only Screening

By Jerry Roberts of Newsmakers

“Citizen McCaw,” the prescient and acclaimed 2008 documentary that chronicles the heartbreaking and heedless destruction of Santa Barbara’s historic daily newspaper, will return for a free, one-time public screening at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

The film focuses on the dramatic events of 2006-07 that stunned the community and set in motion the slow decline and inexorable death of the once-vibrant Santa Barbara News-Press, now in bankruptcy proceedings.

While presaging an era of vast economic disruption for the newspaper industry, the documentary most importantly tells the sad, shameful and uniquely local story of how an enterprise was destroyed, after serving Santa Barbara, for a century-and-a-half, as a town square of shared and trusted public interest news and information.

Next month’s free showing is underwritten by Newsmakers, with support and permission from the film’s co-producers – Rod Lathim, Charles Minsky, Peter Seaman, Brent Sumner, and Sam Tyler.

As a newsletter subscriber and loyal reader, you are among the first to hear about this limited seating event. We invite you to RSVP, via the blue button below, to reserve space to see this essential account of a far-reaching episode of local history.

We’ll have more information in coming weeks about the panel we’re assembling for a conversation about the future of local news. In the meantime, please send us your thoughts and questions on the subject which you’d like to hear addressed.

Thanks as always for your support of Newsmakers – see you on Sept. 27.

— JR and Hap

RSVP below to free showing of “Citizen McCaw” and discussion on September 27, at 7 p.m. at the Marjorie Luke Theater.

RSVP HERE

Image: Poster for March 7, 2008 premiere of “Citizen McCaw” at the Arlington Theater,