An Evening in Support of Local Journalism

Plymouth Independent to Host Inaugural Freedom of the Press Gala

An unforgettable evening is shaping up for September as the Plymouth Independent prepares to host its inaugural Freedom of the Press Gala, bringing together nationally recognized journalists, community leaders, business owners and supporters of independent local news for what promises to be one of the South Shore’s most impressive charity events this year.

Set against the backdrop of one of Plymouth’s landmark private ocean front estates, graciously hosted by the Gates family for this special occasion, the Saturday, Sept. 26 gala will celebrate the enduring value of community journalism while raising support for the nonprofit newsroom’s mission to provide independent, in-depth reporting for the town.

Guests will enjoy an elegant evening of cocktails while taking in the spectacular Plymouth waterfront, fine dining, live entertainment and extraordinary auction experiences, while helping ensure that strong local journalism continues to thrive.

“Independent local journalism plays an important role in every community, and we are delighted to open our home for an evening that celebrates the people and the reporting that help keep Plymouth informed and connected,” said Ayli Gates, who along with her husband Ed is the owner of the ocean estate where the event will take place.

The gala has already received significant support from community leaders and businesses, with Rye Tavern as presenting sponsor.

“As business owners, we know strong communities don’t happen by accident, they’re built by people who care enough to invest in them. The Plymouth Independent has become an important part of that fabric, and we’re proud to support local journalism and help launch what we hope becomes a signature annual event for Plymouth,” said Ellis Withington, owner of the Rye Tavern along with his wife Jen Withington.

The evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the estate’s historic carriage house, where guests will have an opportunity to mingle while browsing an exceptional silent auction featuring luxury travel, exclusive experiences and one-of-a-kind items donated in support of the Independent. Dinner will follow on the waterfront grounds before the evening transitions to keynote speakers, live entertainment and a spirited live auction.

Providing the soundtrack for the evening will be Michael Dutra’s acclaimed Strictly Sinatra, whose celebrated tribute to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack has earned a loyal following throughout New England. Blending timeless classics with the energy and style of the swing era, the performance promises to be a fitting backdrop for an unforgettable night.

The gala will feature keynote conversations with two of the nation’s most respected journalists: Marty Baron, the Pulitzer Prize-winning former executive editor of The Washington Post and The Boston Globe, and Walter “Robby” Robinson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning former editor of The Boston Globe Spotlight Team, whose leadership helped produce one of the most consequential investigative reporting projects in modern journalism and inspired the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight. The Boston Globe’s award-winning columnist Shirley Leung will serve as Emcee.

Their appearance reflects the values at the heart of the Plymouth Independent: accountability, transparency and a steadfast commitment to journalism that serves the public interest.

But the evening is about more than elegant surroundings or extraordinary auction packages. At its heart, the Freedom of the Press Gala is a celebration of the role independent local journalism plays in strengthening communities and ensuring that local stories continue to be told.

Founded as a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom, the Plymouth Independent was created to ensure that Plymouth could continue to have rigorous, independent reporting focused entirely on the community it serves. At a time when local newspapers across the country continue to shrink—or disappear altogether—the Independent embraced a different model, relying on readers, donors, sponsors and community partners who believe trusted local journalism remains an essential civic resource.

“The Independent filled a troubling void in local news coverage,” said founding editor Mark Pothier, a Plymouth resident who left the Boston Globe in September 2023 after more than 22 years. “Street-level journalism is part of the bedrock of our Constitution, and it was crumbling. Those in positions of power were not being held accountable to the public, and residents were left in the dark.” 

A former Business editor and editorial board member at the Globe, he was given the Yankee Quill Award in 2024, which celebrates career achievements of New England journalists. He also spent a year at Harvard University as Neiman Fellow and taught in Harvard’s extension and summer schools. In 2013, he was a part of the Globe’s coverage of the Marathon bombings, for which he shared in the Pulitzer Prize awarded to the newspaper. That same year, he teamed with Globe reporter Jenifer McKim to uncover a worldwide child pornography web. Those stories resulted in the arrests of 42 men. For their work they were awarded the prestigious Casey Medal. 

Executive Editor David Kidwell, who joined the news site in January of this year, said the newspaper’s mission extends far beyond everyday reporting.

“Independent journalism isn’t sustained by advertising alone,” Kidwell said. “It depends on a community that values credible, fact-based reporting and understands that informed citizens make stronger communities. This gala celebrates everyone who helped make this possible. Every story we publish is possible because our readers believe this kind of journalism is worth supporting.”

Kidwell has been involved in many award-winning investigations throughout his newspaper career, including long stints the Miami Herald and Chicago Tribune, as well as leadership roles at two Chicago nonprofit investigative newsrooms. His work has contributed to two Pulitzer Prizes.

“Communities thrive when people have access to reliable local news,” Kidwell added. “It’s inspiring to watch Plymouth embrace that vision and help build something that belongs to the entire community.”

Guests will have an opportunity to bid on an exceptional collection of live and silent auction experiences. Highlights include luxury vacations to Tuscany for eight guests; Mykonos, Greece, for six; a getaway to Ottawa; a family vacation to Orlando; an electric bicycle and a growing list of exclusive travel, dining and lifestyle experiences. Additional auction packages will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event. Bidding for Silent Auction items begins September 1 online, and winners do not have to attend the event to win.

The event offers businesses, organizations and community leaders an opportunity not only to enjoy an extraordinary evening, but to invest in the future of independent journalism in Plymouth. Demand for the inaugural gala has been strong, with only a limited number of reservations still available. At press time, four VIP tables and four standard tables remain, along with a limited number of individual tickets.

Aside from the Rye Tavern as presenting sponsor with a $25,000 donation, sponsors include: Tiny & Sons Auto Glass, Bradford’s Liquors, Powder Horn Press, and South Shore Event Solutions. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, go here.

As the sun sets over Plymouth’s coastline on Sept. 26, guests will gather beneath the stars for an elegant celebration. Guests will come together in support of an idea that has never been more important—that strong local journalism helps build stronger communities, and that preserving it is a responsibility shared by an all of us.

Cocktails in the historic carriage house • Waterfront dinner • Keynote speakers Marty Baron and Robby Robinson • Entertainment by Michael Dutra’s Strictly Sinatra • Live and silent auctions

For tickets, tables, sponsorship opportunities and additional information, visit www.pi-gala.org.