Local journalism is the heartbeat of a healthy community, holding powerful institutions accountable, fostering a shared understanding of the issues that matter most, and giving a voice to hometown heroes. In these diverse communities that make up our region, there are important stories waiting to be shared.
Strong collaborative journalism is necessary in the IE. As traditional newsrooms face business challenges, competition, misinformation. The need to innovate is more pressing than ever. That’s where the Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund comes in. This exciting initiative, housed at the Inland Empire Community Foundation, is proud to announce its designation as an affiliate of Press Forward!
Press Forward is a groundbreaking national movement dedicated to revitalizing local journalism across the United States. With over half a billion dollars committed over five years, Press Forward is supporting innovative projects, bolstering investigative reporting, and ensuring historically underrepresented voices are heard.
The IE Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund is part of a network of chapters across the country where funders bring new donors and foundations together to expand resources for local news. These chapters are an opportunity for funders to create place-based initiatives, driven by the specific information needs of their communities.
Local chapters are critical to the success of Press Forward because they are closest to the ground and can identify authentically local approaches that meet the needs of their communities. They are uniquely positioned to rally people and organizations around a shared vision for supporting local news. National funders can help catalyze those investments, share lessons across geographies, and scale ideas.
The challenge of rebuilding America’s local news landscape is vast, and will depend on creating new local efforts alongside new investment by national and local funders, smart public policies and a variety of other revenue approaches.
The IE Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund is a network of locally-owned media organizations, independent journalists and media professionals dedicated to telling local stories for social impact and improving access to information in the Inland Empire.
The Hub recognizes the importance of accurate, timely, and impactful journalism in fostering a well-informed community and promoting positive change. Its mission is to empower the voices of the Inland Empire by providing a platform for authentic and diverse storytelling, fostering a culture of journalistic excellence, and driving positive social impact.
Join us to learn more about the Press Forward Local’s role in building a stronger future for local journalism in the IE! The Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund’s inaugural event will be held on June 3, 2024 at the Redlands Forum. Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, who leads the Fund and the Press Forward Local Chapter, will engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dean Baquet, former Executive Editor of The New York Times. They’ll explore the vital role of media in democracy and local community-engaged journalism in engaging strategies to strengthen our civic muscle in the Inland Empire.