Rebuild Local News

Nearly 55 million Americans have limited or no access to local news, with 206 counties lacking any news source and 1,561 relying on just one. Over 250 of these areas also face high poverty, putting their access to vital information at further risk. Learn more at Medill Local News Initiative: https://lnkd.in/gNW9SuHN #Journalism #LocalNews #Media #NewsDeserts #Information #Civic #Community

The contraction of local news has created a vacuum that has been filled by national media (which is more polarizing) and social media (polarizing and & more hospitable to falsehoods). This election is partly explained by the transformation in how voters get information. Local news needs to reach voters where they are – Facebook local groups, Next Door, Reddit, Tik Tok, text messaging, WhatsApp. I mean actually embed ourselves, have our workflow and output be informed by and report to people where they ingest information. We need 25,000 more local reporters, living in the communities they cover. We need to rebuild trust, on the ground, one reporter at a time, not only through what they write but their daily interactions at school board meetings and grocery lines.

Our team is growing! If you see possibilities for tech and public policy to help solve the local news crisis, we want to hear from you.

Join our team as a Policy Manager for Technology! In this role, you'll help craft policies that encourage the tech sector to support local journalism and collaborate with newsrooms, civic advocates, and policymakers to drive meaningful change and strengthen the future of local news. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gVDfNnGX #Hiring #Jobs #Journalism #Policy

@PhillyInquirer is a for-profit, owned by a great nonprofit (Lenfest Institute for Journalism.) Has ads, subscriptions and donations. Breaks even. And models how to cover local elections, as Jim Friedlich explains: "The Inquirer has fielded the region’s largest political reporting team, and dedicated nearly its full investigative news team to coverage throughout the campaign. Every Voice, Every Vote, a coalition of more than 25 Philadelphia media organizations and 50 community groups, has engaged voters with public meetings, church gatherings, news coverage, candidate debates, and public opinion research. Spotlight PA, a four-year-old statewide news organization serving 105 news organizations across the commonwealth, has produced unparalleled, multilingual voter guides, election resources, and artificial intelligence-assisted tools to answer voter questions 24/7."'

Since 2005, U.S. newspapers have lost over 266,000 jobs—a 73% drop. Newsroom roles declined by 60%, falling below 100,000 for the first time in two decades—the "single largest drop" among all industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn more at Medill Local News Initiative: https://t.co/FvQejAd9Kp #Journalism #LocalNews #Newspaper #Media #Research #Employment

We are hiring! We’re seeking an Executive Assistant & Operations Coordinator to support our President, streamline operations, and help manage our virtual office as we grow. Join us in our mission to rebuild local news! Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/gxmn2r5D #Hiring #Jobs #Journalism #Policy #Operations #Assistant

NEW: Steven Waldman, co-founder of Report for America and Rebuild Local News, suggests that Jeff Bezos give The Washington Post to a charity — a model that has shown success in St. Petersburg, Philadelphia, and Salt Lake City. https://lnkd.in/gAQb9d6f

Jeff Bezos can become a real hero -- by donating The Washington Post to a charitable trust. His conflicts of interest are too vast, but Philly, Salt Lake City and Tampa have shown a better way. Here's how it can work. https://lnkd.in/dUkiMSdu Jim Friedlich Lauren Gustus Lenfest Institute for Journalism

Press Forward's recognition of public policy as a cornerstone in strengthening community news is truly encouraging. When paired with innovative business strategies and increased philanthropic efforts, First-Amendment-friendly public support becomes essential to a sustainable future for local journalism. This is a significant step forward!