Northeastern University School of Journalism的动态

A key aspect of community engagement centers on people being able to access information easily and efficiently via local news platforms. Recent research out of Northwestern's State of Local News Project provides a county-by-county snapshot of media outlets across the nation showing how levels of affluence affect access to local journalism. Checked my own experience on this map to see how it tracked — when I worked as a fulltime journalism teacher in uber-affluent Silicon Valley (median 2022 household income, per U.S. census report = ~ $153,000), my immediate surrounding county (Santa Clara county) shows 23 local news outlets. Compare that to my current home of Winnebago County in Illinois (median 2022 household income, per U.S. census report = ~ $61,000): 8 news outlets — primarily broadcast, but also a legacy newspaper a step away from extinction. In the short term, agree that philanthropy may be the necessary stop-gap support required to sustain the "fire line" to slow loss and attrition of local news outlets and help keep local journalism alive, while we collectively figure out a better, sustainable economic model for journalism in years ahead

“Journalism, particularly local, trusted news is the fabric of our democracy.” Our President John Palfrey shares how trusted local news can build community cohesion, foster civic participation, and let the facts speak for themselves. Read more thoughts on building trust and strengthening democracy in his Annual Essay ?? https://lnkd.in/eqwtvTsR

The just released 2024 State of Local News report from Northwestern University Medill School confirms a critical gap: while philanthropic-funded news is flourishing in major metro areas, it often bypasses smaller, rural, and low-income communities that comprise our nation's actual news deserts. To rebuild local news where it's needed most, we must focus on these underserved regions and tackle structural barriers. This involves fostering more local ownership, embracing digital transformation and AI innovation, building new cooperative networks (like the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative and Puente News Collaborative) and advocating for smart public policy. Let's commit to revitalizing local journalism for all communities.

I am truly excited to introduce the inaugural Request for Proposals for Press Forward Chicago. Press Forward Chicago, an innovative collaborative grantmaking initiative aimed at bolstering local news and fostering a resilient information ecosystem within our city. Chicago is fortunate to be endowed with a tapestry of media outlets that diligently serve the diverse information needs of our communities. It is important to recognize that while our local news scene is robust, it is also fragile. Even with the current array of media outlets, there exists a fragility that underscores the importance of continued support and investment. Recognizing that an informed community is the bedrock of a vibrant democracy, I've had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed colleagues over the past year and a half to establish a dedicated fund tailored to support local news. This funding opportunity is a direct response to the pressing needs articulated by newsrooms across Chicago. With a clear focus on capacity building, this RFP represents the first of two initiatives slated for release this year as part of Press Forward Chicago. I invite all eligible organizations to carefully review the RFP and consider submitting proposals that align with our overarching mission of empowering local journalism and fortifying our community through equitable access to reliable information. Press Forward Chicago is more than a grantmaking initiative. It is an opportunity to reimagine how philanthropy, journalists, donors, Newsrooms, residents and civic leaders come together and bring our best thinking to building a sustainable future for news and information. #PressForwardChicago #localnews #LocalJournalism #pressforwardlocal #CommunityEmpowerment #rfp

In a RF|Binder Hour to Empower session, Rebuild Local News President Steven Waldman sat with Anna Elise Hansen to discuss how we can revitalize local news through public policy, so communities can thrive with access to quality local coverage. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dPhtUZFx #LocalNews #PublicPolicy #Communities #Democracy #RebuildLocalNews

?“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”? This quote by Maya Angelou has never been more relevant. In a world saturated with information, the heartbeat of our communities often goes unnoticed. Local journalism is not just about reporting; it’s about connecting us to the stories, struggles, and triumphs that shape our lives. Here’s why it matters more than ever: 1)Community Connection: Local news keeps us informed about what’s happening right in our own backyards, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging civic engagement. 2)Accountability: Journalists play a critical role in holding our leaders accountable, shining a light on issues that affect our daily lives and ensuring transparency in governance. 3)Amplifying Voices: Local media provides a platform for diverse perspectives, ensuring that everyone’s story is heard, valued, and represented. 4)Supporting Local Economy: By highlighting local businesses and events, journalism drives community support, boosting the economy and nurturing local culture. 5)Crisis Response: During emergencies, local journalists are often our first line of communication, delivering essential information and resources when we need it most. 6)Cultural Preservation: Local stories celebrate our unique heritage, keeping the fabric of our communities vibrant and alive. Subscribe to your local paper, donate, share stories that inspire you, and advocate for the voices that matter most in our communities. Together, we can ensure that local journalism in RVA continues to thrive and enrich our lives. #LocalJournalism #HenricoCitizen #Community #SupportLocal #MediaMatters

The Internews Health Journalism Network is excited to offer 4 Gender Justice x Health Fellowships. This exciting and unique fellowship includes a stipend of $750 USD to support story production, rigorous mentorship, exclusive training sessions with internal and external experts, networking opportunities, and a mock newsroom session to workshop final story ideas. We are seeking insightful and compelling story pitches that explore the implications of pushback against gender equality and women’s and LGBTQI+ rights globally and its profound effects on the health and well-being of all individuals, including men, women, gender-diverse individuals, and children.?? We invite journalists, photographers, podcasters and other information creators to pitch stories that shed light on this critical issue. Stories should include interviews with experts, affected individuals, and relevant stakeholders, and use reliable data and evidence to support the reporting. Strong pitches should seek to utilize reliable available data or highlight the data gaps, voices from community leaders and members, healthcare providers, and policy experts, aiming for at least 50% of experts interviewed to be women and gender-diverse individuals. Stories may be in any format including print, digital and broadcast media, and photo stories. Stories may be published in any language, but a clear English translation must be provided. Stories that explore the positive impacts of men’s engagement, activism and/or community leadership toward gender equality. Applications close by 12 August 2024, 12 midnight EST #Internews #HealthJournalism #fellowship Gender Justice x Health Fellowships - Health Journalism Network (internews.org)

?? Attention journalists and minority activists! Apply now for stipends from the EMMAP programme to support your fieldwork. Journalists can receive funding for investigative reporting on minorities, migration, conflict or peacebuilding. Minority activists can create media content to support their initiatives. Grants up to €2000 available. Deadline: 12 April. Apply and make an impact! #Journalism #MinorityActivism #EMMAP

In #Philadelphia, the Information Divide poses a significant challenge, especially in communities where access to reliable #news sources and the #internet is limited. In this blog, former Resolve Philly intern Jadyn Howard delves into the concept of the Information Divide, highlighting its impact on local decision-making and civic engagement. Did you know that nearly 20% of Philadelphia residents lack reliable internet access? Learn how initiatives like Equally Informed Philly, Philly Documenters, and Germantown Info Hub are actively working to bridge this gap. From providing bite-sized news updates to hosting community-centered events, these initiatives are empowering residents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their lives and communities. https://lnkd.in/eefzrpRX

I am very proud of this publication with Jaewon Choi: A Virtuous Circle: Explaining News Deserts and Their Relationships with Social Capital, published in Journalism Studies. The abstract is as follows: Popularized with the term “news desert,” the decline of the number of newspapers has cast a gloom over the future of American democracy. However, there has been little research on what factors are related to such phenomena. To fill this gap, we construct a theoretical framework based on previous research relating market conditions to news deserts, and study how news deserts relate to social capital. Our analyses find population, and education have strong negative associations with news deserts and potential journalism divides, where newspapers decrease disproportionately according to the community’s African American composition. Age has a weak negative association with news deserts. Furthermore, our analyses reveal that having more newspapers has a positive effect on community social capital in its economic connectedness, cohesiveness, and civic engagement. Consequently, economic connectedness and cohesiveness positively impact the number of newspapers next year, showing evidence of a virtuous circle. This study advances the discussions around the “news desert” a step forward by empirically investigating its social impact on our communities.