3️⃣ things we learned from our BIPOC leader listening project
We know the path to successfully launch, build, and grow an independent news organization is far from easy. And we also know that individuals with specific and intersectional identities face significant institutional barriers to accessing the capital, networks, and other resources to run a successful startup.
To help us better understand the successes and struggles of BIPOC news leaders, we conducted 13 one-on-one interviews between 2022-2023, and the insights we gleaned from these conversations will significantly contribute to our work over the next five years.
Read our full post to discover who we spoke with and three key things we learned from our listening project.
– LION’s membership team
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7 resources for independent publishers
1. Tackle a major strategic business challenge by participating in The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium’s Technology & Sustainability Accelerator. Up to 20 New Jersey news organizations will be part of a nine-month, team-based experience to find a better path toward sustainability. (Apply by Oct. 14)
2. Apply for a travel grant from the Neal Peirce Foundation. Selected journalists will receive travel grants of up to $1,500 to cover under-told stories about how to make cities and metro regions work better for residents. (Apply by Oct. 16)
3. Attend OpenNews’ SRCCON 2023. This peer-led conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is designed for those who want to change journalism by creating more intentional processes, better relationships with the communities they serve, and new ways to engage and inform people. (Oct. 17-18)
4. Host a journalism student in your newsroom this summer. Attend the Reynolds Journalism Institute’s upcoming Innovation Community Call to learn about the RJI Student Innovation Fellowship program, which pairs students with news organizations to work on innovative projects of mutual interest. (Oct. 26)
5. Apply for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network, a two-year program for investigative journalists interested in tackling ambitious accountability projects. Five participants will work from and report to their home newsrooms while receiving compensation and extensive support from ProPublica. (Apply by Nov. 1)
6. Take the next step in your news career. Apply for the News Product Alliance’s News Product Management Certification (NPMC), a rigorous, part-time, and virtual program for mid to senior-level news professionals looking to bolster product development and innovation skills. (Apply by Nov. 3)
7. Gear up for Giving Tuesday. Classy’s resource webpage includes helpful tips on creating a successful campaign. (Giving Tuesday is Nov. 28)
What we’re reading
Get unstuck. How to overcome perpetual procrastination on projects that are essential but not urgent. (Harvard Business Review)
From watchdog to leashed-dog. Why powerful people often criticize hard-hitting, investigative journalism and the chilling impact this can have on local news outlets. (Columbia Journalism Review)
Develop better bosses. Why organizations must take managerial skills more seriously –– and invest time and money in sufficient management training and support. (Slate)
A new chapter. Why, after nearly five years, The 19th’s co-founder Amanda Zamora is stepping down as publisher to focus on related projects. (The 19th)
Style over substance. How X has removed headlines from news story links to improve the site’s “aesthetic.” (The Guardian)
LIONs in the news
AI’s implementation in journalism has been top of mind for many –– and Jay Allred, the president and publisher of Richland Source, has unparalleled experience navigating this new technology. In a recent WNYC podcast episode, “The Story Behind Gannett’s AI Debacle,” he recounts his lessons learned after rolling out an automation tool that didn’t go as planned.
Jay candidly explains what went wrong, the risks and advantages of using AI, and why he believes this technology is here to stay. “The reality is, we’re all going to be dealing with this, and there are lessons to be learned here,” he said. “We can grow as an industry to get better.”
Listen to Jay’s story below.
In other LION member news:
- The Austin Bulldog has launched a new feature, the Government Accountability Project, to provide ready access to public officials’ records.
- Open Vallejo is seeking an investigative reporter to join its newsroom in Vallejo, CA.
- The Riverside Record is celebrating its first anniversary.
- The Roanoke Rambler is hiring a director of revenue to join its team in Roanoke, VA.
- Fort Worth Report is hiring an education reporter and a director of development.
- El Tímpano is seeking a senior development manager to lead its fundraising research, strategy, and execution.
- The Texas Tribune is hiring a membership manager to oversee its membership engagement and retention efforts.
How to reach us
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