Philanthropy is stepping up its support for local and nonprofit journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, an industry that has been struggling over the last decade or more.

According to a presentation from the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan collective of thought leaders, creatives, scholars and citizens that works to address complex issues, 1,300 American newspapers have closed in the last 10 years and 200 American counties no longer have a local paper. The number of local reporters fell from 455,000 in 1990 to just 183,200 in 2016.

During the pandemic, the need for trustworthy local news is critical. A long-time supporter of journalism, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently partnered with Aspen Digital—the Aspen Institute’s branch focused on digital media—to host a webinar featuring local news publishers and advocates discussing the decline of local news sources and the need for them, especially during this crisis.

“Tens of thousands of journalists, since the pandemic began, have been laid off, furloughed or had their salaries cut,” Vivian Schiller, executive director, Aspen Digital said during the webinar. “But it’s much more than that. Every one of those jobs represents a voice, often in a news desert; a voice that is providing critical—sometimes life-saving—information to citizens around the country.”

While publications across the country downsize, local and nonprofit journalists continue to provide vital information to residents.

Jiquanda Johnson, founder and publisher, Flint Beat, a website founded in 2017 to better serve Flint’s underrepresented communities, served on the panel and discussed why local voices are critical in community journalism.

“I grew up in Flint. I’m a Flint girl. I’m a product of this community that I cover,” Johnson said. “One of the things I noticed was that it’s sometimes hard to break into communities like Flint and they didn’t trust the media that was already in place because of the coverage. I make sure I’m known in the community and engage them on any and every platform.”

CMF members continue to support local journalism as the need for timely and accurate information continues to rise.

The Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) launched the Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund in 2017 to expand local reporting in Detroit and southeastern Michigan. To date, the fund has provided $1.2 million in grants to local and nonprofit news outlets, including newspapers, local magazines, podcasts and television stations.

A key initiative of the fund is New Michigan Media, a consortium of ethnic and community news sources that serve different populations. The consortium includes the Michigan Chronicle, Latino Press, the Detroit Jewish News, The Arab American News and The Michigan Korean Weekly. CMF reported last week that the Michigan Nonprofit Association has formed a partnership with New Michigan Media to amplify communication to nonprofits about the Paycheck Protection Program.

Local nonprofit publications such as Flint’s East Village Magazine and the statewide Bridge Magazine (operated by the Center for Michigan) are crucial to reach residents during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With philanthropic support, Bridge launched Michigan Health Watch to report on healthcare issues across the state.

John Bebow, Bridge president and CEO, recently told Flintside, “Bridge wouldn't be able to do it without philanthropic supporters including the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation.”

Want more?

Watch Aspen Digital’s “The Crisis in Local News” webinar.

Learn more about the Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund.