1. Pre-Assignment Safety Planning Before covering protests, court proceedings, policing, immigration enforcement, or other government actions: 2. If a Journalist Is Detained or Arrested The newsroom should treat this as an emergency protocol, not a PR issue. Immediate actions (first 30–60 minutes): Do NOT: 3. Legal Response 4. Public Response & Solidarity Silence enables intimidation.Continue reading “Safety & Arrest Response Protocols for Journalists”
Author Archives: Haeven Gibbons
Shared Leadership as Infrastructure: What Funders Can Learn From MLK50
🎧 Podcast episode: Building Leadership That Reflects Community: MLK50’s Co-Executive Directors on Shared Power in Journalism Local news organizations are carrying unprecedented responsibility. They are expected to deliver trustworthy civic information, withstand political pressure, diversify revenue, support staff, and remain deeply accountable to the communities they serve—all at the same time. For many community-rooted outlets,Continue reading “Shared Leadership as Infrastructure: What Funders Can Learn From MLK50”
How Communities Are Preserving the Public Record When Traditional Systems Fall Short
What’s unfolding in Minneapolis shows why communities need trusted journalism systems in place before a crisis hits. The first casualty of war is the truth—unless truthtellers are on the ground. In Minnesota, they are. And they are reporting what they see. Over the past month of federal immigration enforcement operations across Minneapolis, St. Paul, andContinue reading “How Communities Are Preserving the Public Record When Traditional Systems Fall Short”
We’re Hiring: Director of Business Development
Director of Business Development Location: Remote (U.S.) | Reports to: CEO | Works closely with: Chief Development Officer Direct reports: Director of Learning, Research & Evaluation (and others as applicable) Status: Full-time, Exempt About The Pivot Fund The Pivot Fund empowers independent, community-rooted news outlets serving underrepresented urban and rural communities. We provide funding andContinue reading “We’re Hiring: Director of Business Development”
What Publishers Can Learn From MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s Shared Leadership Model
🎧 Podcast episode: Building Leadership That Reflects Community: MLK50’s Co-Executive Directors on Shared Power in Journalism Local news leaders are being asked to do more than ever: set editorial vision, fundraise, hire and retain staff, build partnerships, respond to crises, and remain accountable to the communities they serve—all at once. For many outlets, especially community-rootedContinue reading “What Publishers Can Learn From MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s Shared Leadership Model”
When communities build the public record
A field update from Minneapolis on what local publishers everywhere are learning: accountability now depends on resourced networks, not press releases. Field Update Across the country, local publishers are being asked to cover fast-moving enforcement activity, protests, and public safety incidents with fewer reporters, tighter timelines, and higher stakes. In that gap, communities are increasinglyContinue reading “When communities build the public record”
Building the Systems for Sustainable Local News
Great journalism doesn’t always translate into a sustainable business—but it should. Across the country, community-based newsrooms are producing trusted, high-impact journalism that strengthens civic life, particularly in rural, underserved, and historically marginalized communities. Yet many of these outlets lack the systems to consistently measure and communicate their impact in ways that resonate with funders andContinue reading “Building the Systems for Sustainable Local News”
Journalism’s influencer obsession will age poorly
“Journalism will look back on its influencer mania the way it now views the ‘pivot to video’ — as a costly diversion from building real community infrastructure.”
We’re Hiring: Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager Location: Remote (U.S.) | Reports to: CEO | Works closely with: Chief Development Officer Status: Full-time, Exempt About The Pivot Fund The Pivot Fund empowers independent, community-rooted news outlets serving underrepresented urban and rural communities. We provide funding and strategic support that strengthen local news ecosystems and help build a more inclusiveContinue reading “We’re Hiring: Business Development Manager”
What Enlace Latino NC’s Experience Reveals About the Safety Risks Facing Community Newsrooms — and Why Funders Should Care
When Enlace Latino NC covers a protest or community action today, nothing feels routine, says Co-founder and Executive Director Paola Jaramillo. Their small, immigrant-led newsroom has had to rethink nearly every part of its reporting — from what their reporters wear to who can safely enter a high-risk environment — because frontline journalists cannot predictContinue reading “What Enlace Latino NC’s Experience Reveals About the Safety Risks Facing Community Newsrooms — and Why Funders Should Care”