WATCH: Exploring the role of local forums to strengthen information, community and democracy
Forget what you know about the current infrastructure of digital public forums—listservs, Facebook Groups, Nextdoor. Done right, forums could be spaces where local journalism can thrive, build a real audience, and do the essential work of informing people on topics important in their lives, investigating corruption and malfeasance, and providing useful analysis. Unfortunately, the local […]
WATCH: Global Journalism Funding Strategies & Insights
While there is general consensus among funders about the significance of the safety and security of journalists, many say that the actual implementation of safety and security measures is falling short. This discussion explores one compelling discovery from MIF’s latest research on the global journalism funding landscape: In a funder survey, when asked about motivations […]
The 2024 Media Impact Forum: The Stories We Tell
The 2024 Media Impact Forum served as an important reminder that storytelling is the bridge we desperately need to foster understanding in a fractured world. Journalists and creators are on the front lines, crafting narratives that transcend cultural and regional boundaries. Their work is essential for promoting empathy and a more informed future. The Forum […]
WATCH: How funders can advance DEI in journalism
How can news leaders and funders work together to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the journalism industry? In this MIF Member Briefing organized in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), Inasmuch Foundation, The Joyce Foundation and the Pivot Fund, INN shared key findings from its latest DEI Index Report, which draws on […]
WATCH: Catalyzing local philanthropy for local news
This member briefing was organized in partnership with the American Journalism Project and the Lumina Foundation. All members and supporters of Media Impact Funders have the opportunity to initiate and produce issue-related programming for their peers. Learn more about member briefings. Across the country, community-based philanthropic organizations are tapping into the promise of local news, recognizing it as […]
Observations from ONA23
It was great to welcome Media Impact Funders members to our annual networking event at the Online News Association conference last week, here in Philadelphia. We always enjoy seeing colleagues who support journalism and greatly appreciate the hospitality of our friends at ONA. It was touching to hear from the organization’s new executive director, LaSharah S. Bunting, who […]
There’s a new documentary film festival on the scene: Meet DC/DOX
We had the pleasure of attending the inaugural edition of the DC/DOX Documentary Festival earlier this month in Washington, D.C. Two films stood out for their noteworthy depictions of the importance of public interest media and journalism: Bad Press and Breaking the News. “Bad Press” follows journalist Angel Ellis of Mvskoke Media as she battles […]
The 2023 Media Impact Forum: Stories of Community
The 2023 Media Impact Forum: Stories of Community served as an important reminder of the robust network of funders, storytellers, journalists, and others who understand the importance of media for healthy communities. Held at KQED headquarters in San Francisco, the Media Impact Forum focused on uplifting voices from the news outlets and media organizations that […]
MIF report from the Skoll World Forum and the International Journalism Festival
It was great to be back in Oxford, England, earlier this month for the Skoll World Forum, a unique gathering of donors and doers from around the world. From the opening courageous conversation between Carole Cadwalladr and Nobel Prize-winning editor and author Maria Ressa, one of the central messages of this year’s World Forum was on the dangers […]