Guns & America collaboration pays off amid COVID-19 crisis

Since August 2018, 10 reporters at 10 public radio stations across the United States have participated in the Guns & America collaborative. They report stories from their local communities and share broadcast and digital content among each other’s stations and national platforms, with the goal of bringing context, nuance and a human face to one of the most divisive subjects of our day. Station-based reporters collaborate with a central lead team of editors, digital producers, and a project manager based at WAMU in Washington, D.C. They’ve produced more than 250 stories since inception. Read More

This month’s journalism webinar marked the second in a series exploring innovative ways to fund reporting on science, health and the environment. This time, we looked at the field of environmental reporting and heard about successful partnerships and scalable models. Read More

Last week, Media Impact Funders continued its series of funder conversations to connect grantmakers with research, strategy and practice in science communications with its latest webinar organized around two upcoming convenings: SMASH (Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub) and WGBH Innovation IdeaLab. We invited speakers from these two science media conferences to discuss the question we’ve been exploring for over a year now: For funders who care about science and civic life, how do we reach new and diverse audiences with science content that sparks curiosity and learning? Watch the webinar here and use the time stamps below to follow along in the recording: The webinar featured: Kaitlin Yarnall (2:43), senior vice president for Media Innovation at the National Geographic Society, who provided an overview of the discussion and context for its importance John Bredar (5:34), vice president of national programming at WGBH, who provided an overview of the SMASH convening and its objective to increase science literacy to diverse audiences. Adnaan Wasey (11:49), Rita Allen Fellow for Science Communication, who spoke about his work around developing innovative methods to engage new audiences and reaching nonelite audiences through entertainment media. Read More

Last week, as Donald J. Trump was being inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States in Washington, D.C., festival-goers in Park City, Utah, were preparing for premieres, parties and protests at the Sundance Film Festival. The MIF staff, its board of directors and various colleagues were focusing on how to move forward with effective, engaging storytelling, especially as it pertains to the health of our planet. Read More