Houston Landing’s Post

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

🔗 Did you catch our latest blog "Promoting the Power of Lived Experience"? Our first Public Engagement strategy unites our Policy, Communications, and Journalism work. From peacebuilding to forced labor & human trafficking to racial justice, we're committed to pushing for change by centering those with lived experiences. Learn how we're seeking to make an impact through our public engagement work: https://lnkd.in/eVshWgtj

What we can learn from a close reading of press coverage of the worst municipal scandal in the nation’s largest city in more than 90 years. This week’s Second Rough Draft newsletter

There's no better way to kick off the day than with a conversation on the state of journalism, particularly local journalism. Metropolitan Breakfast Club hosted Texas Tribune editor Sewell Chan this morning for an engaging talk on trends in the industry and reasons for optimism (some!) despite changing news consumption habits and economic challenges. Here's a snapshot of what I learned, as someone who already considers herself well informed on the media landscape: 🏛 : 1 in 5 reporters covering a state Capitol works for a non-profit, with The Texas Tribune and CalMatters being the largest. ✏ : While trust in media is low, consumers have the highest level of trust in local reporting. 👩💼 : The Texas Tribune newsroom is majority female and people of color, with one-third of the staff speaking Spanish. This underscores the importance of having a newsroom that looks like its community. 🖥 : The The News Literacy Project is moving beyond the classroom and engaging older Americans (70+) so they better understand how to determine which news sources are trustworthy. Finally, I learned about several innovative, non-profit news sources to be reading — Flatwater Free Press, Mississippi Today, Mountain State Spotlight, Wisconsin Examiner. #journalism #reporting #localjournalism

🗞️🌟 Embrace the Power of Local Journalism! 🌴📰 Did you know that right here in South Florida, we have a gem that not only brings us news but also represents the voice of our community? 🙌 Let's talk about the Westside Gazette, a Black-owned newspaper that serves as a vital source of information and empowerment. 💼 Supporting local businesses extends beyond shops and restaurants—it includes supporting media outlets like the Westside Gazette. Here's why: 1. Authentic Representation: The Westside Gazette amplifies the voices and stories of the Black community in South Florida, offering a perspective often overlooked by mainstream media. By supporting it, we contribute to a more inclusive and diverse media landscape. 2. Community Connection: Local newspapers like the Westside Gazette foster a sense of community by highlighting local events, businesses, and achievements. They keep us informed about what's happening in our neighborhoods and provide a platform for community dialogue and engagement. 3. Empowerment Through Information: Access to reliable news and information is crucial for an empowered community. The Westside Gazette provides valuable coverage of local news, politics, culture, and social issues, empowering readers with knowledge and awareness. 4. Economic Support: By subscribing to or advertising in the Westside Gazette, we directly support the economic growth and sustainability of a Black-owned business in our community. Our support helps create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to the local economy. 5. Preservation of Heritage: Newspapers like the Westside Gazette play a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage and history of the Black community. By supporting it, we ensure that these stories are preserved and passed down to future generations. Let's rally together to support the Westside Gazette and other local Black-owned businesses in South Florida. Subscribe, advertise, and spread the word—it's not just about reading the news; it's about investing in our community's future! 🌟🗞️ #SupportLocal #WestsideGazette #CommunityEmpowerment #sofloblackpages

“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

This is a brilliant idea from Hearken, Inc CEO Jennifer Brandel. People in power should hear more voices of the people (the community) in public settings and listen. Then, elected offficials need to take action and follow through to turn ideas into actions and give the people (communities) what they want and need. News organizations can report the story and keep tabs on the follow-through to ensure action steps are taken by those in power. This is a new way for journalism to hold power to account and create change and strengthen communities. News organizations can make this happen by being conveners, connectors, and facilitators.

Opinion by Hearken, Inc CEO Jennifer Brandel | Planning a town hall with candidates? Try a reverse town hall instead. The traditional format of town halls elevates candidates who are great talkers, but not necessarily great listeners or great public servants. But what if you flipped that model, and threw a live journalism event in which candidates and politicians hear from the people they are supposed to be serving? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eawaP2N5

We have a great opportunity to increase the value of local news and build a sustainable future for local news at the same time. Local small businesses and local media can work together to create that future. "It’s time for local media and local small businesses to reconnect in mutual reliance," says Jim Haigh. "The most important local news funding still remains local advertisers, local sponsors, and local supporters." That means local news has to make sure it is serving local communities in an effective way. How often has a local news reporter covered a long, boring city meeting and then had to write a story on that long, boring city meeting? The boring recap gets no love, while the new restaurant opening in town is the top story. Now consider how we could use local journalism to boost civic engagement, inform and engage communities, and ensure all communities see their needs, concerns, and dreams reflected in the public square. El Tímpano is a civic media outlet based in Oakland, California, that serves the Bay Area’s Latino and Mayan immigrants. They work in collaboration with residents and local partners to create two-way channels of reporting that empower Oakland’s Spanish-speaking residents. Through innovative approaches to community outreach, El Tímpano surfaces community members’ stories and questions on local and national issues, provides news and information relevant to their needs, and investigates the concerns they bring to their attention. El Tímpano — Spanish for "eardrum" — was founded by Madeleine Bair in 2017 and used a civic partnership model to fuel its growth. El Tímpano isn't just surviving. This outlet serving low-income immigrants with actionable news and information is thriving, and they have become a case study for equity in news and journalism sustainability. This is the future of sustainable local news. It is collaborative and independent. Read more in the latest edition of The Community Builder, our weekly newsletter that spotlights solutions to revitalize local news and celebrates who is creating them. https://lnkd.in/gk7pDUGb Subscribe to The Community Builder: https://lnkd.in/gDSNPgE8 #journalism #localnews #sustainability #community #growth

The latest in our "Centering Community Voices" series of how newsrooms are using source tracking to improve everything from editorial workflows and story development to community outreach and fundraising. This week, I wrote about how some newsrooms are using American Press Institute's Source Matters tool to help them think about the voices missing from their coverage and using that information to better engage with their community. At a time when trust in media is ebbing, the data and insights that Source Matters provides newsrooms can provide pieces to a complex, and nuanced, puzzle of rebuilding reader trust.