WAN IFRA Innovate Local’s Post

From revenue models to type of journalism, the latest INN Index Fact Sheets show #nonprofitnews organizations covering distinct geographic areas — either local, state/regional or national/global — share many commonalities.  A few of the highlights: 📌 Half of #localnews outlets operate on budgets of $250,000 or less, and earned revenue efforts are more successful compared to their non-local counterparts. 📌 Nearly half of state and regional outlets primarily focus on in-depth, investigative reporting, with explanatory journalism emerging as another common focus. 📌 Foundation funding largely fuels national and global outlets, many of which require this type of support to produce investigative journalism.

Report for the World is pleased to announce the launch of “The Revenue Roadmap: a Guidebook to Diversifying Revenue and Editorial Innovation,” a comprehensive resource developed to equip media leaders with strategies and tools to navigate the evolving landscape of journalism. Produced in partnership with the International Press Institute (IPI), this guidebook is designed to address the pressing sustainability challenges faced by independent media outlets to foster innovation and sustainability in the field. On May 23, Report for the World will lead a practical discussion at the IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival on how media organizations can put the roadmap into practice and identify, test and deliver opportunities for diversifying revenue that pay for quality, independent journalism. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZJ2hM4Q #journalism #media #revenue

How do you get more impact from your events? Live short-form content! The Online News Association's partnership with SnapStream helped generate 1.6m impressions from clips of livestreamed conference video. Learn how our team did it and you'll see how your event team could too: #ona23 #journalism #shortformvideo

The news should be everywhere

In a world where journalism for the next Gen needs to find a new innovative and re-invigorated voice, and in doing so address so many issues (legacy, present and forward-looking) along comes UNPRESS. Yesterday I met some of the key advisors and it was heartening and uplifting to learn about them and the overall desire to redress journalism, from being aware of the many problems it faces. From me, some of those issues are legacy; journalism of the 1950s ( which has not changed much) in difficulty from the complexities of several societal changes. Some are new, born out from technological developments in which journalism has not been able to respond appropriately. Some too stems from societal shifts interfaced with tech that yields bad faith actors and their intent to malign. This isn't new. Take Edward Bernays' work. Or the Mohawk Valley Formula for quelling strikes. However, now this comms pathway is intentional and naked. UnPress sets a marker that professionals and academic institutions should take note. You could read their launch Press Release here. https://lnkd.in/efs83jQ3 In the next post, I'll include a link with an exclusive with CEO from our new international publication Media Hyphenates. #news #journalism #storytelling #innovation

Ever wondered what #BrandJournalism can borrow from the good ol’ days of traditional journalism? To grasp its essence and impact, one must journey back to the origins of traditional journalism. Historically, traditional journalism upheld principles of rigour, in-depth analysis, and unbiased reporting. This framework of integrity and comprehensive reporting underpinned the media's foundation for years, even decades. Yet, the digital revolution, combined with the waning dominance of traditional media channels, compelled businesses to recalibrate their communication strategies. Clearly, #Brands can learn a lot from traditional journalism and glean from its timeless principles. Isn’t it time we leveraged the credibility and analytical depth of traditional journalism to enhance our brand narratives? #brandjournalism #digital #content

#LocalNewsMatters Study reveals that trust in Texas local media among the highest in America "As the national narrative grows more divisive, local media stands as a beacon of community trust and engagement," remarks Sam Allcock of PRFire.com. "Our survey underscores the resilience of local journalism and its critical role in providing a platform for diverse voices. It's a clarion call to support and sustain the local outlets that so faithfully reflect America's rich journalism." An investigation into the public's perception of local news reveals a nuanced understanding of media bias and representation. A slight majority, 66%, acknowledge some level of ideological slant in local publications. Yet, this does not seem to undermine the media's perceived inclusivity, as 64% believe their local outlets reflect their community's diversity. This is significant, as it highlights the crucial role of local media in fostering a sense of community cohesion and representation.   Encouragingly, the perceived integrity of local news appears to be on solid ground, with 65% feeling that its trustworthiness has either improved or remained consistent over the past five years. This could be attributed to local media's closer ties to the communities they serve, potentially making them more responsive and accountable to their audiences.   Lastly, over half of the respondents (55%) feel that local media provides a sufficiently diverse array of perspectives and opinions. In a polarized era, the ability of local news to offer a variety of viewpoints is more important than ever, suggesting that while there is always room for improvement, local media is on the right track.   In conclusion, local media in America occupies a unique and vital position. As the national media landscape becomes more partisan, local news offers a more trusted, inclusive, and community-focused alternative. While challenges remain, the findings from PR Fire's survey offer a hopeful outlook for the future of local journalism in America.

On the Spin Sucks blog, Gini Dietrich discusses Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts and shares what you need to know about each as it pertains to journalism. https://ow.ly/CH4o50RJWyz

Local journalism, vital for community cohesion, faces a challenging cycle where declining resources lead to lower-quality content, further driving audiences away and diminishing revenues. The 21st century, characterised by the dominance of the Internet and social media, poses unprecedented challenges to traditional local media, contributing to the rise of ‘news deserts,’ areas devoid of continuous journalistic coverage. This decline threatens democratic systems, accountability, and crucial local information. New research from Denmark employs a mixed-methods audience research approach to unravel the desires and needs of local journalism audiences, exploring functional, symbolic, emotional, and economic values. Read it here! https://bit.ly/3TSqA03

The formula is simple and well-researched. Greater trust in media leads to greater audience reach that, in turn, leads to bigger revenues. Joining a constructive journalism program is one way to make that formula work. Here’s an opportunity. The deadline is close, mind you. #solutionsjournalism #constructivejournalism #trustinmedia