MOUNT VERNON — Local news organizations nationwide perform a critical function to uphold our democracy by holding elected officials accountable and fostering civic participation.
But newsroom employment has dropped 26% since 2008. That’s thousands of stories that have gone uncovered.
Ohio residents are familiar with this trend. 60 Minutes featured Report for America as a possible solution on Feb. 27. The segment examined how hedge-fund ownership of news organizations causes them to decline, and how democracy is impacted in the wake of the news industry turmoil.
- 60 minutes featured Report for America (RFA) as a possible solutions for the local news funding crisis.
- Source Media is currently hosting Report for America Corp Member Emma Davis. She writes for Ashland Source and Knox Pages, splitting her time.
- Beginning in June 2022, Source Media will host two RFA Corp Members. This means one talented emerging journalist will move to Ashland County and another to Knox County to report on issues vital to the development of our region.
- Community members can support our Report for America Corp Members by making a donation.
According to the report, one-third of daily newspapers in the U.S. are owned by hedge-funds or financial firms that focus on profitability over civic obligations.
When cities and towns lack reliable news organizations to perform watchdog functions, corruption can occur more easily. It also means citizens don’t have critical information about candidates, issues and events.
Newsrooms need reliable new revenue streams for long-term sustainability. Report for America partners with local news organizations nationwide to place talented emerging journalists in newsrooms to cover underreported issues and communities.
We’re doing this right now. Do you know Emma?
Source Media Properties was selected as a host newsroom and Emma Davis became the Report for America Corps Member in June 2021.
Report for America enables newsrooms to build reporting capacity by funding half of a reporter’s salary during their first year of service and one-third during year two.
The other portion of the reporter’s salary is raised through local individuals, organizations and institutions.
Davis splits her time between reporting for Ashland Source and Knox Pages. The Ashland County Community Foundation and Kokosing Family of Companies fund the community-supported portion of Davis’ position.
Davis has made a significant impact on the communities within Ashland and Knox Counties. She has expanded coverage to focus on safety and succession planning in the agriculture industry, a topic of significant importance that had not been covered previously.
Her coverage of workforce challenges led to communication between employers, economists and residents on a virtual panel.
With her consistent presence at Knox County board of education meetings and school events, she brings nuance and transparency to reporting on school districts including new programs, student achievements, beloved activities and staffing changes (educators both incoming and exiting).
She also published a Citizens’ Agenda for the Fredericktown School Board.
“Every vote, achievement or indiscretion that would not have been reported on without a local news presence increases transparency, accountability and community understanding,” Davis said.
The Ashland County Community Foundation believes the Report for America program is a good investment.
“Through Emma’s top-quality reporting, combined with expanded in-depth and solutions reporting, along with increased events and introduction of new platforms, Ashland County Community Foundation has seen first-hand how our grant dollars have assisted the Source’s work, and ultimately are impacting our community,” said ACCF Chief Program Officer Kristin Aspin.
Report for America has selected Source Media Properties to host a second corp member. This means one talented emerging journalist will move to Ashland County and another to Knox County to report full-time on issues vital to the development of our region.
Over two years, these two reporters will focus on solutions reporting that moves our community forward and engagement events that bring people together.
“I’m often the only reporter physically at events, or the only non-board member attending meetings, which makes it apparent there are so many stories that would not otherwise be told,” Davis said. “Yet, there are so many stories I know we’re still missing because our small staff can only be in so many places at once, which is why increased support for local journalism is so needed.”
Community members are invited to invest in the Knox Pages and Ashland Source Report for America project. The reporting will generate impact in the form of solutions to regional problems being discussed, community members gaining a voice, and hopefully greater civic participation.
Every north central Ohio resident deserves the opportunity to engage in their community through the guidance of an independent local newsroom.
Report for America Corp Members add much-needed reporting capacity. With the help of individuals, corporations and institutions, Source Media Properties will continue to do impactful reporting that moves the community forward.
