PCMA Convene’s Post

If we needed a reminder of the importance of local news to help communities thrive, we got it this week in Minnesota. Eight more local community papers in Minnesota will shut down, at the hands of out-of-state owners who aren't members of the communities they report on (more here: https://bit.ly/3VPZSXv). In the wake of this challenging moment, we convened 10 publishers from across the state yesterday to help the Star Tribune learn how we can better partner to help the whole news ecosystem in our state thrive. Lots of good ideas - from content-sharing, to subscripton bundling, to philanthropy, to collective action in legislative venues to raise this crisis with our elected leaders and beyond. Whatever we chose to do together, it's just a plane fact that our state will be stronger if many different news organizations are thriving. This week we also asked leaders from Greater Minnesota to come speak with our senior leadership team about how we can best expand our reporting footprint in Minnesota, something we've committed to doing in 2024. The picture below is from that conversation, in which we heard from Hudda Ibrahim from St. Cloud, Mayor Jorge Prince of Bemidji, and Jennifer Bevis of the Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids. Their insights were powerful. We're on our way and have much to figure out, but we know one thing for sure: we'll only succeed if we're listening to the community. 2024 is a big year for democracy and journalism. If you're wondering what you can do, one simple thing is to subscribe to your local newspaper. Quality journalism depends on citizens caring that it exists, and demonstrating that care by paying for it. Imagine a world in which we didn't have journalists there to share information and provide trusted, reliable news about our communities? That's something AI can never replace.

At Cause+Affect, we’ve always been drawn to the big issues and challenges that demand systemic change and values-driven work. Now, we’re excited to add media integrity to our list of causes through our new client, Indiegraf. In a world where algorithms often prioritize engagement over truth, platforms like Indiegraf play a critical role in supporting community-based journalism and ensuring that local stories aren’t drowned out by sensationalism and misinformation. As we dive into this work, I've realized how much the integrity of the media we absorb impacts our position on the issues that really matter. Housing, mental health and sustainability, for example, demand informed, engaged communities, and media is central to shaping that. Working with Indiegraf is an important step in addressing how we tell these stories, ensuring that independent media remains a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Working with Co-founders Erin Millar and Caitlin Havlak, we're excited to evolve a brand that tackles some of the biggest challenges of our time. I would suggest this Daily Show podcast for an interesting take on this topic, specifically Ezra Klein's reflection that while access to information has increased, the average level of public knowledge hasn't necessarily improved. Instead, media consumption is polarized between those who are deeply informed and those who avoid political content altogether. https://lnkd.in/g5jyhmrq

We're still riding on the high of The Giants Magazine 2.0. Let us walk you through how our featured Giants are redefining the narrative in their creative fields. Click on the link below to read our latest article. https://lnkd.in/d3hewaJf . . #TheGiantAcademy #TheGiantsMagazine #Blogpost

Next up in our free webinar series: Clare Ashcraft from AllSides will help burst your bubble - in a GOOD way! AllSides is a public benefit corporation that helps people strengthen our democratic society through balanced news coverage, media bias ratings, and diverse perspectives. In this session, you'll learn about AllSides' mission to "Free people from filter bubbles so they can better understand the world — and each other." Register today to join us Friday, Sept. 27 - https://lnkd.in/gMKqkveS - to learn about: - Media bias ratings, including how ratings are determined and how they can support your own "media diet" and advocacy work; - Red Blue Translator; - AllSides' Bias Checker; - Topics pages; - The Similarity Hub; and - Ways for advocates/ communicators to make use of these resources. Both personally and professionally, you'll gain actionable strategies and tools for finding and generating balanced news and messaging to foster a more informed and connected society. #FreeWebinar #FinalFriday #ProfessionalDevelopment #MediaBias #BuildingTrust #Depolarization #BridgingDivides #EffectiveCommunication

My latest article for Forbes is focused on becoming an #ExpertSource.

Future-proofing your newsroom, with Lucy Kueng: Media companies can no longer be something for everyone - but we can be everything to someone instead #digitalpublishing #journalism #onlinepublishing

Did you know that at www.LoveJustice.com, we are regularly sharing #newsarticles to help you stay current with the latest news in #socialjustice? Head on over to our website today to stay informed along your journey of making an impact. #SocialJusticeNews #NewsYouCanUse #NewsYouCanTrust #SocialJusticeJournalist #LoveJusticeTeam

The news never stops, and neither do we! 🌍 Whether it's breaking headlines, in-depth analysis, or the latest in politics, business, and entertainment, The NewspaperStand (TNS) has got you covered. Don't miss out! #NewsOnTheGonow #TheNewspaperStand #Digitalnewspapers

❓ Are you stepping into your power and trusting your inner-voice? ⚡️ We are THE digital magazine to inspire, support and guide you to your SOVEREIGN Self. How are you stepping into your power? Share in the comments below 🔻🔻🔻 #iamsovereign #magazineforwomen #womensmagazines #womenmagazine #globalmagazine #freemagazine #subscribetoday #subscribeplease #iamseen #iamheard #youareworthy

❓ Are you stepping into your power and trusting your inner-voice? ⚡️ We are THE digital magazine to inspire, support and guide you to your SOVEREIGN Self. How are you stepping into your power? Share in the comments below 🔻🔻🔻 #iamsovereign #magazineforwomen #womensmagazines #womenmagazine #globalmagazine #freemagazine #subscribetoday #subscribeplease #iamseen #iamheard #youareworthy