Now more than ever, local news and information is vital for communities& #39; health and for democracy. I& #39;ve been gathering various articles about this that have been published over the past week, so figured I& #39;d share as I find them....
First, a useful resource for any trying to make the case that journalism is vital - a compendium of research that shows how we know journalism is good for democracy, compiled by @jcstearns https://localnewslab.org/2018/06/20/how-we-know-journalism-is-good-for-democracy/">https://localnewslab.org/2018/06/2...
In @CJR, @FreePress& #39; @notaaroncraig details why journalism needs a stimulus now, and what it could look like https://www.cjr.org/analysis/journalism-stimulus.php">https://www.cjr.org/analysis/...
. @kristenhare shares examples of work around coronavirus that can *only* happen at the local level in Local Edition https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/were-all-in-this-together-and-the-work-of-local-news-shows-it/">https://www.poynter.org/reporting...
"Local news outlets are shrinking or closing when the public needs them the most," @stevenwaldman and @CMSennott explain in @TheAtlantic, along with ideas for action to support them https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-killing-local-news/608695/">https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc...
Immigrant+community media provide reliable information to communities "where they may be the only – and only trusted – sources of news." They are facing drastic cuts in advertising revenue while at the same time seeing unprecedented demand via @gmochkofsky https://mailchi.mp/d2ab1003f0ec/special-report-covid-19-and-the-community-media-sector?e=2624357ede">https://mailchi.mp/d2ab1003f...
"Let’s hope that Colorado’s remaining local journalists and small media businesses receive the life support they will need from readers, philanthropy and the public sector to live another season." via @co_mediaproject https://coloradosun.com/2020/03/29/colorado-media-coronavirus-journalism-opinion/">https://coloradosun.com/2020/03/2...
"What’s more valuable now than reliable information? Simple: reliable information for the long term."
NC Local News Lab Fund& #39;s @LizzyHazeltine on why local news must be supported like the critical infrastructure it is https://medium.com/@LizzyHazeltine/fund-local-news-like-the-critical-infrastructure-it-is-and-start-now-f9737fc74911">https://medium.com/@LizzyHaz...
NC Local News Lab Fund& #39;s @LizzyHazeltine on why local news must be supported like the critical infrastructure it is https://medium.com/@LizzyHazeltine/fund-local-news-like-the-critical-infrastructure-it-is-and-start-now-f9737fc74911">https://medium.com/@LizzyHaz...
. @alicerhee of @JournalismProj calls on more support for nonprofit news right now: "Philanthropy must take a short- and long-term approach and respond with commitment, compassion, and capital to sustain this work." https://www.givingcompass.org/article/nonprofit-news-an-essential-service-to-communities-across-america/">https://www.givingcompass.org/article/n...
Chicago funders launch support for local news. They write: "In an emergency, whether it be a natural disaster, violent conflict, or global pandemic, consistent access to trusted, quality information is essential to restoring peace, health, and security. " https://donate.mccormickfoundation.org/journalismfund ">https://donate.mccormickfoundation.org/journalis...
Local news is good for our health. So "Policy Matters has called on Ohio lawmakers to increase support for public broadcasting and to follow New Jersey’s lead and create a state-funded body to support journalism." https://www.policymattersohio.org/blog/2020/04/06/local-news-is-good-for-our-health">https://www.policymattersohio.org/blog/2020...
" Of the 2,485 U.S. counties that reported COVID-19 cases as of April 6th, 50% are news deserts. Fifty-seven % of counties that have reported cases of COVID-19 lack a daily newspaper and 37% saw local newspapers disappear between 2004 and 2019." https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/04/08/critical-in-a-public-health-crisis-covid-19-has-hit-local-newsrooms-hard/">https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...
"...many people aren’t accessing critical news and information, don’t trust it, or it’s not being presented through channels that allow them to understand it and act upon it. During a crisis, this gap between media and communities is life-threatening. " https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-news-grant-resolve-philly-vulnerable-communities-20200408.html">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/c...