AddThis SmartLayers

Nationwide bid launched to support independent local newsrooms

Megan Lucero 1A nationwide journalism project has launched a new initiative aimed at founding and supporting independent local newsrooms.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Bureau Local unit has announced the launch of the ‘People’s Newsroom’ initiative, which it hopes to help those “failed by the media or who have no news provider to inform them, represent them or adequately reflect their experiences”.

The project will offer hands-on business and startup support, as well as shared back-office functions, to “innovative journalism initiatives” across the country.

It will also offer editorial resources to help support the running of “equitable community newsrooms that serve the public interest”.

In a blog announcing the project’s launch, Bureau Local director Megan Lucero wrote: “We’re setting out to support people to unleash community power through journalism that reflects them, serves them and sparks positive change.

“We want to redefine journalism – who it’s owned by, made by and who it serves. We want to support the many communities failed by the media or who have no news provider to inform them, represent them or adequately reflect their experiences.

“We want to build an industry that’s representative of all our communities by supporting people with everything they need to create newsrooms that belong to everyone, redress harms and grow local power.

“These aren’t aims that can be met by simply adapting traditional newsroom structures or replicating top-down journalism models. Instead, this new generation of newsrooms must be created by, with and for communities.

“We need a runway that is accessible to all so that the ownership and running of our media can be expanded and diversified. We need a pathway, a shared infrastructure, to get us there.”

She added: “To build the programme, we want to collaborate with those who’ve successfully set up community newsrooms, those building them as we speak and those aspiring to do so.

“We want to hear from newsrooms, organisations and funders who want to collaborate on this project and help us all succeed together.”