The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication (UFCJC) has joined a consortium of journalism programs across the United States to explore how they can best collaborate to bolster beleaguered local news — considered essential to accountability for state and local governments, education, policing and more — because its demise jeopardizes the foundation of democracy and rule of law.

The initiative from journalism education leaders nationwide comes at a time when local news outlets are disappearing at an alarming rate. Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism recently issued its annual State of Local News report that maps so-called “news deserts” in 204 counties nationwide, with more than 228 counties at risk of losing their news source. Medill defines news deserts as areas without local publications, including newspapers, digital sites, public radio newsrooms or ethnic publications.

“We know that communities across the country are experiencing an information deficit because of the demise of local commercial news outlets,” said UFCJC Dean Hub Brown. “We also know that around the country, universities are becoming part of the solution — finding innovative ways to address that deficit.”

Deans and directors from 23 journalism and communication programs signed a statement in support of local news initiatives, where they pledge “to work together to build on the impact of our individual institutions. Our faculty and our students have the skills, the commitment and the vision to write a new chapter in American journalism — one in which local news, and the democracy it serves, emerge stronger.”

The statement is a prelude to a report that is being prepared to explore ways the programs can collaborate to strengthen local news in the communities and states where they are located.

The report will be shared at the Knight Media Forum, an annual gathering of leaders to discuss the state of the field, to be held in February of 2024. The journalism program leaders will explore opportunities for collaboration and consider the best options to strengthen local journalism. A major thrust will be expanding student-led coverage of local and state government.

Posted: January 9, 2024
Category: College News
Tagged as: Hub Brown, Journalism Program Consortium, Knight Media Forum, News Deserts