Free Press
Civil stewards are informed and thoughtful practitioners of media literacy.
What You Can Do
Supporting your local news organizations is one of the most helpful things you can do to ensure their ability to report the news and information you need in your community.
Is your community lacking in a quality source of local news? Perhaps founding a local news project is for you. There are a number of nonprofit organizations that support the creation of local news organizations across the country. Check out The Tiny News Collective, LION Publishers and the Institute for Nonprofit News for more information about how you might set up a local news organization to fill in the gap or to serve your community.
Work on your media literacy skills so you can competently navigate the current news and information landscape.
Commercial Media
Media in the United States has undergone a dramatic change in the last few decades as the rise of the internet, the acquisition of publishers by private equity and the increase in billionaire owners of media organizations has changed the dynamics of commercial media. That’s not to say legacy news organizations aren’t still doing critical reporting, but it’s important to vet sources of information with ownership in mind.
Nonprofit News
The past decade has seen a dramatic rise in nonprofit news organizations developing across the country to fill in news and information gaps in local media, to serve underserved audiences historically not served by legacy media and to cover topics that have historically been under-covered or poorly covered. Nonprofit news organizations are an area of opportunity and resource while trying to stay informed on current issues.
News Influencers
The rise of social platforms, in particular Twitter, Facebook and TikTok, has led to a new generation of information sources made up of individuals who have cultivated a following for their unique or engaging style of sharing information. As more professional journalists have left full-time employment, many of them are also striking out as solo news influencers. As with all sources of news and information, vetting the source is a critical aspect of news literacy.
Readings & Resources
Institutions & Organizations
LION Publishers
“LION Publishers strengthens the local news industry by helping independent news publishers build more sustainable businesses. We focus primarily on the business side of news entrepreneurship, as many other support organizations exist to help publishers level up their journalism skills.”
News Futures
“We are journalists, organizers, educators, artists and public servants working together toward social change, information equity, and access for all. As a direct result of our deep community listening as conveners, information-gatherers, amplifiers, synthesizers, and system-changers, we assemble and support working groups within a network of problem-solving peers based in the U.S.”
Listening Post Collective
“The Listening Post Collective (LPC) was established in 2013 to bring global expertise in community information mapping for the U.S. Through innovative strategies, LPC helps local media and community organizations address information gaps and empower underserved communities.”