Category Archives: Analysis

Dear Founders and Publishers, As we move past the 2024 election season, one thing remains clear: data continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the conversation. Local newsrooms, especially those led by BIPOC communities, are increasingly turning to data journalism to provide deeper insights into community issues. But what exactly is data journalism, andContinue reading “The Role of Data Journalism in Strengthening Community Impact”

Earlier this week, the U.S. Congress issued a warning to the nonprofit sector, including nonprofit journalism, by attempting to fast-track a bill that would allow the Trump Administration to unilaterally revoke the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit deemed to be “supporting terrorism.” While the bill primarily targeted pro-Palestine organizations, it also posed a threat toContinue reading “Thriving in Uncertain Political Times: A Guide for Newsrooms”

In this recent presidential election cycle, the consequences of critical civic news failing to reach those who need it most have become strikingly clear. Many Americans are tuning out traditional journalism, actively avoiding national news networks and opting not to subscribe to national or local newspapers. Despite this, the demand for reliable information remains high.Continue reading “Michigan Local News Charts Independent Path Amid Polarization”

As we move beyond election season, it’s crucial for BIPOC publishers to remain vigilant about the ongoing legal challenges that can arise in our journalism. As local publishers, especially in the BIPOC community, it’s important to stay aware of the legal landscape to keep our reporting strong and our publications protected. Let’s dive into whatContinue reading “Post-Election Season Legal Challenges:A Guide for BIPOC Publishers”

The billionaire owners of the Washington Post and LA Times sparked a firestorm of debate when they blocked their editorial writers from endorsing a 2024 presidential candidate. For The Post—an iconic outlet under Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—this decision triggered over 200,000 readers to cancel their subscriptions. Much of the anger and angst is over whetherContinue reading “Why many independent community newsrooms don’t make endorsements”

In an age where young people are increasingly disconnected from traditional political processes, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to address the gap by supporting initiatives that center youth voices in civic discussions. One promising approach can be seen in Baltimore, where the Baltimore Beat, a grantee of The Pivot Fund, collaborated with nonprofit Wide Angle YouthContinue reading “How Funders Can Boost Youth Voter Turnout and Civic Engagement”

When we think about voter guides, they often focus on candidates and issues, but what if we turned our attention to young people? Baltimore’s initiative, led by Pivot Fund grantee partner Baltimore Beat and nonprofit Wide Angle Youth Media, offers a brilliant blueprint for bringing youth voices into the center of election discussions. The American PressContinue reading “How to Highlight Youth Voices in Your Next Election Voter Guide”

Covering debates is a critical opportunity for publishers to inform audiences, highlight key issues, and provide a platform for different viewpoints. However, with the increasing spread of misinformation and the polarization of news consumption, it’s more important than ever to implement robust strategies for covering debates and ensuring that all information presented is accurate andContinue reading “How Publishers Can Effectively Cover Debates”

As the 2024 election season intensifies, the challenges facing journalism are more significant than ever, especially when unexpected crises emerge. From the misuse of embargoed information and unintended bias in reporting to incidents like a recent radio host admitting to using pre-selected questions provided by President Biden’s campaign, the potential for communication crises is vast.Continue reading “Funders Guide: Helping Publishers in a Communication Crisis”

As the 2024 election season heats up, the stakes for journalism are higher than ever. Newsrooms face unique challenges, especially when unexpected crises arise. Whether it’s the misuse of embargoed information, unintended bias in reporting, or more serious incidents like a recent case where a radio host interviewed President Biden and later admitted the campaignContinue reading “Preparing for Crisis Communication During Election Season”