Analysis
How Funders Can Advance Local News by Investing in Infrastructure
November 26, 2024
Investing in the infrastructure of local news organizations is essential for ensuring their long-term success, sustainability, and resilience. Funders understand that a strong infrastructure serves as the backbone for local journalism, providing the foundation that enables newsrooms to deliver accurate, relevant, and timely information to their communities. These investments often go far beyond just providing technology or equipment—they create the systems and frameworks that allow newsrooms to thrive, innovate, and scale.
When funders make strategic investments in local news infrastructure, they are fostering the conditions necessary for long-term growth. From building robust technology platforms to offering training in areas like business development, audience engagement, and data-driven journalism, these investments help news organizations strengthen their internal operations, expand their reach, and improve the quality of their reporting. Moreover, by providing support for networking, leadership development, and operational collaboration, funders create an ecosystem in which local newsrooms can share best practices, collaborate on coverage, and collectively respond to community needs.
A great example of how infrastructure investments can drive growth is the support provided by the Local Media Association (LMA) through its “News Catalyst” fund. This initiative has been instrumental in helping local news organizations expand their digital presence, develop alternative revenue models, and innovate in audience engagement. By investing in infrastructure such as content management systems, digital subscriptions, and new revenue strategies, the LMA has enabled smaller outlets to become more adaptable and sustainable, even in the face of economic challenges. These investments have allowed newsrooms to grow their online audience, expand their journalism offerings, and improve community impact.
Similarly, the “News Match” program, backed by the Democracy Fund and other partners, has empowered numerous local, digital-first newsrooms to increase their fundraising capacity and reach new audiences. Through matching grants, these funds support local outlets in diversifying their revenue streams and creating stronger connections with their readers. For instance, organizations like the Texas Tribune and El Tecolote have been able to build and expand their membership programs and digital offerings, reaching new community members and sustaining their operations.
In addition to financial resources, investments in collaborative models also play a key role in strengthening local news. By supporting shared platforms, like the “Collaborative Journalism Network,” which connects various local and regional outlets, funders help newsrooms work together to cover complex stories that would otherwise be beyond their reach. These collaborations allow for better resource sharing, joint investigations, and more comprehensive coverage of important issues that affect the community. The success of collaborations, like the one between the Associated Press and local newspapers for election coverage, has shown that such investments can lead to deeper, more impactful reporting.
Furthermore, investments in newsroom technology have enabled local outlets to produce more data-driven journalism and investigative reporting, offering their audiences richer, more impactful stories. Support for tools that analyze local government spending, crime data, or environmental issues allows journalists to uncover stories that hold public officials accountable and empower communities with the information they need to make informed decisions.
By also investing in leadership training for news organizations, funders help foster strategic, innovative management capable of navigating the complex media landscape. This leadership support ensures newsrooms are more efficient and equipped to deal with changing demands. For example, the Knight Foundation has helped provide leadership training to local newsrooms, enabling editors and journalists to be more adaptable and future-focused in their work.
The role of funders in creating a resilient local news ecosystem cannot be overstated. By making investments that prioritize infrastructure, funders lay the groundwork for newsrooms to become more agile, more effective, and better equipped to address the changing needs of their communities. Whether through enhancing technology platforms, improving leadership and management capacity, or supporting collaborative initiatives that strengthen the broader media ecosystem, these investments are crucial for ensuring that local news organizations not only survive but thrive.
For organizations like LMA, News Match, and the Knight Foundation, infrastructure investments provide local publishers with the tools, support, and networks they need to adapt to new challenges and scale their efforts. By reinforcing the organizational frameworks that make newsrooms more efficient, collaborative, and innovative, funders enable news organizations to expand their audience reach, diversify their revenue streams, and ultimately become more sustainable.
In conclusion, infrastructure investments are essential for the growth and sustainability of local news organizations, particularly those serving underrepresented communities. By funding critical areas such as technology adoption, leadership development, business models, and collaborative efforts, funders play a crucial role in shaping the future of local journalism. As newsrooms grow and evolve with these investments, they are better positioned to meet the needs of their communities, combat disinformation, and build a more informed, connected society.