In this episode of The Exchange 2.0, host Blake Doyle and CBC reporter Kate McKenna discuss the shifting landscape of journalism and its impact on Prince Edward Island. McKenna reflects on her transition from the Island to Parliament Hill, noting that the diligence required to report in a small community like PEI provided a unique foundation for her national career. She also highlights the personal significance of her book on the history of abortion access on the Island, which documents decades of local policy struggles.

The two explore the modern challenges of the industry, specifically the "Meta ban" on news and the rise of online hostility. McKenna observes that while politicians are increasingly using long-form podcasts to show a more human side, the lack of traditional media access during campaigns limits public accountability. They note that as newsrooms face staff compression, maintaining deep, investigative reporting becomes more difficult.

The conversation concludes with a look at PEI’s rapid growth, where a population surge of 30,000 has brought cultural diversity but also strained infrastructure. Doyle argues that a lack of long-term planning has left schools and hospitals struggling to keep pace with this expansion. Despite these systemic hurdles, McKenna maintains that journalism remains essential for holding power to account and driving policy change.