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Now more than ever, local news and information is vital for communities' health and for democracy. I've been gathering various articles about this that have been published over the past week, so figured I'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/
In @CJR, @FreePress' @notaaroncraig details why journalism needs a stimulus now, and what it could look like https://www.cjr.org/analysis/journalism-stimulus.php
. @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/
"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/
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
"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/
"What’s more valuable now than reliable information? Simple: reliable information for the long term."
NC Local News Lab Fund'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
NC Local News Lab Fund'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
. @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/
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
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
" 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/
"...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
