In the wake of layoffs at large newspapers and the shift to the Internet, a panel discussion next Wednesday, Dec. 12, in San Francisco will explore alternative business models for reporting the news. Speakers will include Rose Aguilar of KALW-FM, Guild leader Carl Hall, Coastsider.com’s Barry Parr, SJSU’s Michael Stoll and Josh Wilson of Newsdesk.org. Questions the group will answer include:

• With all the high finance and power plays, how do communities actually get news that matters?

• Amidst layoffs and shrinking newsrooms, how can reporters and editors do their jobs and serve the public interest?

• What future awaits young journalists graduating from the Bay Area’s j-schools?

The Dec. 12 panel runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m., CounterPulse, 1310 Mission St. (cross of Ninth Street). Here’s a link. It’s sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists — Northern California, RedwoodAge.com, Independent Arts & Media, Newsdesk.org and Shaping San Francisco.