Across the country, a new story is unfolding in local news. While national headlines focus on decline, communities are proving what’s possible by reimagining how local news can better serve, inform, and connect us all.
Here in the Inland Empire, our work at the IE Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund (IEJIHF) is part of this vital national movement, serving as the official local chapter of Press Forward. Members of the Hub include innovative and community-first newsrooms that are shaping a stronger, more resilient future for local journalism.
Spotlight: The Documentary Series
This transformation is the focus of a powerful new documentary series, “Reimagining Local News.” The series tells the story of these groundbreaking efforts, exploring the future of local news and information by highlighting the people and models that are building a path forward.
Hosted by renowned journalist and author Charles Blow, the series shines a light on individuals and organizations across the country who are driving this change. From community reporters to statewide collaborations, these stories show that solutions are already taking shape.
- A Public Good: Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, the series celebrates local news as a public good—a foundation for stronger communities and a crucial element for a healthy democracy.
- Community-Driven Solutions: You’ll see how community-driven, solutions-oriented approaches are creating sustainable new models for getting reliable, relevant information to residents.
Our Role in the Movement
The IEJIHF is at the forefront of this work locally. Established in 2022, the Hub is a collaborative network dedicated to funding and supporting cooperative journalism, empowering residents in civic life, and improving access to information across our diverse region.
Just like the inspiring models highlighted in the documentary, the IE Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund works to:
- Foster Collaboration: Bringing local journalists together to pool resources and expertise, allowing for deeper, more impactful reporting on our region’s vital issues.
- Amplify Local Voices: Ensuring that the stories of the Inland Empire’s diverse communities are told with accuracy, accountability, and depth.
The new series “Reimagining Local News” is a must-watch for anyone who cares about the future of their community. It provides a hopeful and concrete vision for what local news can be. Check out each of the trailers for different episodes of interest to you:
- Episode 1: The Documentary OverviewFocus: Makes the fundamental case for why local news is a public good, showing the national movement to find solutions.
- Episode 2: Hyperlocal NewsroomsFocus: Shows how Block Club Chicago built a sustainable model rooted in community ownership and hyperlocal reporting.
- Episode 3: Public PolicyFocus: Highlights the vital role of state-level policy and public funding—such as tax credits and incentives—in supporting local news.
- Episode 4: Underrepresented VoicesFocus: Features organizations like Conecta Arizona and Capital B that are successfully filling critical coverage gaps for Spanish-speaking and Black communities.
- Episode 5: A Community Takes the LeadFocus: Explains the power of Press Forward local chapters through the example of the Colorado Media Project, showing how communities build strong news ecosystems.
- Episode 6: College Newsrooms
- Focus: Showcases how the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News is turning student journalism into a vital source of community reporting.
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The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.
