Thread by @globalfreemedia

What’s changing in #localnews? Just about everything - that’s what IPI found when, supported by @craignewmark, it dived into local #newsmedia around the world. They’re rethinking everything to work out what they need now to sustain vital journalism. 1/14

ipi.media/ipi-takes-a-gl…

@craignewmark IPI’s @jacquipark talked to 30+ media leaders and entrepreneurs who are transitioning legacy media or creating new local voices, half in the #USA and half in #Asia, the Pacific, #Africa and #Europe.

Here are some key insights 👇 2/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark 1. Local news media is the most disrupted sector of the media, the most urgently in need of assistance – and the sector with the greatest potential to form the bedrock for a new, stronger media ecosystem. 3/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark 2. Where there’s a digital transition infrastructure, it’s supporting innovation & experimentation, having a strong positive impact on local media, but it’s unevenly distributed and often missing outside North America and Europe. That’s a gap for #philanthropy @khadijapatel 4/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel 3. Successful #localnews media have a clear sense of their mission, editorial vision and audience when they reflect their communities. This confidence is guiding a reimagining of journalism to meet their needs, like @Appalachia100 @poetabook. 5/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook 4. To succeed, engage local communities from design to editorial decision-making, and demonstrate continued value to the community, particularly sectors historically excluded from coverage.

Big lesson from @KhabarLahariya and @mekomit: Write for, not about, communities. 6/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit 5. Engaged readers demand a journalism of service that holds local institutions to account and provides difficult-to-access information rather than a reporting for the record.

That’s the secret of @Dispatch_DD, @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia 7/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia 6. Local connectivity generates trust. So #localjournalism is front-line in the battle against mis/disinformation by fact-checking, deep reporting, debunking.

Think @Appalachia100 @lora_pellice. 8/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice 7. Local news media are naturally suited to pivot to reader revenues. They’re experimenting with membership models, diverse donation strategies, finding ways to centre their communities, while leaving their content free.

@rgmlk @thenewsminute @mekomit have lessons to share. 9/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice @rgmlk @thenewsminute 8. Everything is up for reimagining and experimentation inc. products and distribution, and no right or wrong. It’s an opportunity to explore ways to engage communities not traditionally served through print. Great example @media_outlier @sarahalvarezMI 10/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice @rgmlk @thenewsminute @media_outlier @sarahalvarezMI 9. Local media need to meet AND build demand.How? By engaging the community (particularly those traditionally excluded from media offerings), by building trust and bringing value in how they meet the needs of their audience, like @BlockClubCHI 11/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice @rgmlk @thenewsminute @media_outlier @sarahalvarezMI @BlockClubCHI Low-income and disadvantaged communities can struggle to sustain local media through reader support or advertising. Other sources such as the region’s diaspora, philanthropy and local businesses can fill the gap. @TheBristolCable 12/14

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice @rgmlk @thenewsminute @media_outlier @sarahalvarezMI @BlockClubCHI @TheBristolCable Some good ideas here from @gteresa & @jcstearns of the US Democracy Fund on how local foundations can fund journalism. 13/14

https://twitter.com/democracyfund/status/1461002446604492805?s=12

@craignewmark @jacquipark @khadijapatel @Appalachia100 @poetabook @KhabarLahariya @mekomit @Dispatch_DD @Mediacites @citizenmatters @tomasgmoran @lavozdegalicia @lora_pellice @rgmlk @thenewsminute @media_outlier @sarahalvarezMI @BlockClubCHI @TheBristolCable @gteresa @jcstearns Explore more insights, recommendations and discussions here ipi.media/ipi-takes-a-gl…