Category Archives: Analysis

At Underscore Native News, the community is “ultimately the boss—the guiding force.” What does it mean to lead a newsroom deeply rooted in a community that’s not your own? For Myers Reece, executive director of Underscore Native News, it starts with something simple but powerful: respect—for the people, the culture, and the lived experiences that shapeContinue reading “Leading Across Lines: An Asian American Guiding Indigenous News”

Spanish-Language newsrooms covering immigrant communities are essential, underfunded, and undeterred As federal immigration crackdowns intensify and fear ripples through immigrant communities, Spanish-language newsrooms are responding with urgency, clarity, and care. These outlets aren’t just translating headlines—they’re filling critical gaps left by traditional media: offering culturally grounded coverage, countering misinformation, connecting families to vital resources, andContinue reading “What Immigrant-Serving Newsrooms Need Now”

In Middle and South Georgia, where mainstream media rarely reaches and misinformation often thrives, NotiVisión Georgia is becoming an essential public service. The Spanish-language newsroom recently reached 2.2 million Facebook views in a single month—a 114% increase from the previous period—fueled not by clickbait, but by trust and community relevance. This growth didn’t happen overnight. Over theContinue reading “NotiVisión Georgia’s Growth Shows Why Community Media Matters”

In Little Earth—a close-knit, multi-tribal community in Minneapolis—the majority of the community doesn’t consume news broadcast on television or printed in the paper. Instead, they turn to Facebook. Here, people scroll through updates about upcoming full moon and cedar ceremonies, announcements from the Red Bears sports teams, and graduation shout-outs for the neighborhood’s young people.Continue reading “How Indigenous Minnesotans Are Reclaiming the News”

Carmen Robles never set out to be a journalist. Her life’s work has been rooted in community advocacy—fighting for health and education equality in Minnesota’s Latino communities. But when the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare just how deeply traditional media failed to reach her neighbors, Robles did what she’s always done: she stepped up to fillContinue reading “How Carmen Robles Is Reimagining Local News in Minnesota”

Much of the recent conversation around Public Media has centered around eliminating federal funding. But the issues facing independent broadcasting go well beyond Congressional appropriations and grants.  The model that once served millions, powered by a mix of federal funding, donor support, and national syndication, no longer meets the needs of today’s information ecosystem. Like muchContinue reading “How Public Media Can Evolve by Powering the Hyperlocal Future”

Ever since I shared my insights on the collapse of the Houston Landing, people have been asking me if there is a right way to fund news startups. My answer is yes, absolutely – and it starts with finding startups trusted by their communities. My Inside Philanthropy op-ed argued that the Landing did not find a loyal audience becauseContinue reading “The Future of Local News Will Be Built on Community Trust”

When traditional media denied her maternity leave, Georgia Fort made a bold choice: she left behind more than a decade-long career—two Emmy nominations to her name—and built what many said couldn’t be done. Today, as founder of the digital platform BLCK Press, she leads a trusted, Black-led multimedia powerhouse serving the Twin Cities and beyond. BLCKContinue reading “What Georgia Fort’s Media Empire Can Teach Funders”

At Enlace Latino NC, journalism isn’t just information—it’s infrastructure. And for funders looking to support journalism that delivers real-world results, their model offers a powerful example. This North Carolina-based, nonprofit newsroom has been serving the state’s Spanish-speaking immigrant communities since 2018 with deeply reported, culturally competent public service journalism. Its latest resource— a Spanish-language immigration guide —is moreContinue reading “Enlace Latino NC’s Service Journalism Builds Trust, Partnerships”

The Courier Eco Latino’s innovative approach to diversifying revenue through its obituary platform is paying off—but not in the way originally expected. Since launching the initiative in October, the Columbus, Georgia-based news outlet has shown that building sustainable revenue is about flexibility, creativity, and staying deeply connected to community needs. Now partnered with more thanContinue reading “Courier Eco Latino Adapts Revenue Idea to Meet Community Needs”