What's Happening?
A coalition of 22 major philanthropic organizations, including the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York, has launched a $500 million initiative called Press Forward.
This initiative aims to strengthen communities and democracy by supporting local news and information. The effort, which began in 2023, has grown to include 110 funders and has already distributed $400 million. The initiative focuses on increasing the availability of local news coverage, which is trusted more by the public compared to national news organizations. The coalition also aims to combat disinformation through media literacy education and support for independent fact-checkers.
Why It's Important?
The initiative addresses the declining trust in media, which has reached a new low with only 28% of Americans expressing trust in the media to report news fully, accurately, and fairly. By supporting local journalism, the initiative seeks to restore public trust and ensure the media continues to play its essential role in democracy. Local news is seen as more trustworthy, and increasing its availability can help counteract the perception of bias and misinformation prevalent in national news. The initiative also aims to enhance media literacy, helping the public discern trustworthy news sources and combat the spread of disinformation.
What's Next?
The Press Forward initiative plans to exceed its initial $500 million goal, continuing to expand its support for local journalism. The coalition will likely focus on further increasing the number of funders and the amount of funding distributed. Additionally, there may be efforts to develop new strategies for media literacy education and support for diverse newsrooms to ensure they reflect the communities they serve. These steps are crucial for rebuilding trust in journalism and ensuring the media can effectively fulfill its role in a democratic society.
