Recapping our latest “Meet the Media: Statehouse & Beyond”
PRSA Hoosier kicked off its first professional development event of the year with a “Meet the Media” conversation focused on how Statehouse reporting is changing, what journalists need from communicators, and how Hoosiers can better navigate an increasingly fragmented news landscape. Chapter President Lamar Holiday welcomed attendees and thanked event sponsors Herd Strategies (title sponsor), Borshoff, Holliday Collaborative Agency, and Pence Media Group, noting upcoming “Wisdom Wednesday” programming and encouraging members to register at PRSAHoosier.org.
👥Panelists included Niki Kelly (Capitol Chronicle), Greg Weaver (freelance; former Indianapolis Star/IBJ/Indiana Lawyer), and Colleen Steffen (Statehouse Files at Franklin College). Moderator Tom Spalding framed the conversation around what feels fundamentally different about covering Indiana government today.
What’s changed in Statehouse coverage
Panelists agreed the biggest shift over the past decade is the move to a faster, always-on cycle paired with major changes in newsroom staffing. Where coverage once allowed more time to report and fewer immediate publish pressures, journalists now operate in a real-time environment and must make constant decisions about where to invest limited reporting bandwidth.
At the same time, the press corps has experienced both contraction and renewal. The panel described a period when the number of Statehouse reporters dropped sharply, reducing coverage breadth. More recently, however, new and recommitted outlets—including nonprofit and niche publications—have helped rebuild capacity and competition, which panelists said is healthier for the public.
Process is more accessible—but still hard to follow
Panelists highlighted meaningful improvements in public access to legislative information: streaming, online documents, and digital bill tracking make it far easier than the paper-based systems reporters used decades ago. Still, the process remains intimidating and often opaque to everyday citizens, especially when floor calendars move unpredictably. The panel emphasized that part of journalism’s role is translating the mechanics into understandable steps, and Statehouse Files’ student newsroom was cited as a training ground for learning exactly that.
Relationships, access, and “going direct”
On sourcing, journalists emphasized that direct relationships with lawmakers remain essential, primarily for speed and trust. While communications staff and PR professionals can be valuable partners, panelists noted increasing “gatekeeping” and slower responsiveness in recent years—sometimes pushing reporters to catch lawmakers in hallways or between meetings to get timely answers. Several panelists stressed a guiding principle: public officials ultimately serve the public, and journalists act as a conduit for constituents who don’t have the time or access to chase answers themselves.
What PR and public affairs pros can do that helps most
When asked what makes a pitch useful, panelists converged on the same point: the most valuable support PR professionals can provide is connecting reporters to credible sources—especially “real people” who are directly affected by policy, not just spokespeople or experts. Examples included introducing constituents or stakeholders who can describe impact, as well as helping identify where and when amendments or key discussions will occur. Panelists noted that taking stories “outside the building” is often the hardest part of Statehouse reporting; that’s where communicators can add genuine value.
Biggest surprise this cycle: redistricting ripple effects
In a session described as more uncertain than usual, panelists agreed the dominant surprise was redistricting—not only the debate itself, but the downstream effects. They described how it altered timing, compressed deadlines, contributed to a more chaotic pace, and displaced typical off-season policy development and priority-setting. The ripple effects were framed as political, procedural, and practical.
Social media and a fragmented news ecosystem
Panelists discussed how social platforms now function as both distribution channels and public-facing identity. While they emphasized avoiding editorializing in their reporting feeds, they acknowledged that journalists increasingly must promote and package their work in real time. They also noted widespread public confusion about what’s news versus commentary and which outlets cover which topics—especially as coverage becomes more segmented (Statehouse, education, business, etc.). Collaboration and cross-linking among outlets was described as a growing norm and a reader service in a world where no single outlet “pulls it all together.”
AI: useful tool, real risk—and disclosure matters
AI came up as both promise and problem. Panelists cited transcription tools (like Otter) as time-savers when used responsibly, with a firm expectation that quotes must be verified against recordings. One panelist described experimenting with generative AI to summarize court opinions efficiently—again stressing guardrails, human review, and the importance of disclosing when generative AI is used to produce publishable content.
What they want pitched
Panelists encouraged thoughtful pitches year-round—not just when session is underway. Interests included data centers, energy development like solar and wind farms, and stories that explain how state policy changes affect communities. They also welcomed feature ideas (including culture and events coverage) and emphasized that the strongest pitches pair policy with people.
PRSA Hoosier Chapter closed by previewing the next upcoming event and thanking attendees for helping start the year with a timely, practical conversation about the evolving media environment in Indiana.