Reimagining Public Media: Strategic Leadership and Innovation in Local News

Published in summer 2024 prior to the recission cuts that defunded the public media system, this report offers insights on how public media is embracing local news as part of their mission and surfaces challenges these organizations were already facing as they evolved into digital news service providers. However, this report offers recommendations for funders and public media leadership that is still highly relevant in today’s landscape.

The report’s findings state that there is still much work to be done in order for public media stations to meet the demands of a digital local news ecosystem. It also finds that there is much potential in public media to transform to meet these needs, and now with even fewer resources the demand for transformation is even more necessary.

Use This Guide to:

1. Realize potential opportunities for public media stations to fill gaps in local news delivery
2. Think about leadership pipelines in public media and what role funders can play
3. Strategize on galvanizing local funders to supporting unique local contexts

Suggested Content:

1. This Is Local News Now
2. The Creator Journalism Trust and Credibility Toolkit
3. Public Media Learning Hub

Source: Wyncote Foundation