Category Archives: Op-Eds

Despite record investment in journalism support, too many small publishers are burning out in a system built to train, not sustain.

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 collapse of the Houston Landing, a widely discussed, Texas-based nonprofit newsroom that received millions in philanthropic backing, sent shockwaves through the journalism funding world, which has placed enormous hope in the nonprofit model for reviving local news. But it shouldn’t have been a surprise. The Landing was a skyscraper built on sand — designedContinue reading “When Funders Treat Community as an Afterthought, News Organizations Crumble”

The price of bias shows up in surprising places — from undervalued homes to underfunded newsrooms serving communities of color.

“It is widely accepted now that layoffs and the gutting of broadcast, print and digital newsrooms across the United States undermines our democracy. PBS viewers and readers have told us they’re worried about the inability to hold the powerful accountable. And in this space, we’ve talked about the recent torrent of bad news for theContinue reading “Water for the Desert”

Black founders are often locked out of powerful networks that can make a difference between failure and success — and a more inclusive democracy.

“We find and fund these outlets by literally meeting audiences where they are — going into towns and neighborhoods and asking, ‘Where do you get your news and information, and who do you trust?’”

To properly serve communities of color, funders must ‘radically rethink’ current funding practices.

Donors looking to support journalism as “civic information” need to hear directly from leaders of news outlets serving these communities. Read the Article

New outlets led by people of color are reshaping local journalism by covering issues mainstream media often ignore, but they struggle with funding and reliance on big platforms. Philanthropy must invest in their growth to ensure sustainability and stronger community impact. Read the full article