Questions about the future of journalism in an increasingly digital world is somewhat old news. And yet, the stats are still startling: since 2004, more than 1,800 newspapers have closed; the remaining ones still suffered, cutting news coverage, shrinking the paper’s size, and/or ceasing production of a print edition. These moves proved devastating for many smaller cities and towns — including Youngstown, Ohio which lost its only daily newspaper this year — who are now left without a mechanism to hold public officials accountable.
The shrinking media landscape also has other consequences. For the newsrooms that remain, a continued lack of diversity means certain communities and groups are covered inadequately, if at all, and with the potential to perpetuate false narratives and stereotypes about historically ignored or underrepresented communities.
Across the country, several initiatives are underway to reimagine how journalism is modeled, funded, and structured. One such initiative is City Bureau, a nonprofit civic newsroom based on Chicago’s South Side that brings journalists of varied racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds together with communities to create responsible media coverage, increase civic engagement, and hold government leaders and public officials accountable.
Darryl Holliday
Co-Founder and News Lab Director, City Bureau
Andrea Hart
Co-Founder and Director of Engagement, City Bureau
Lila Mills
Communications Manager, Neighborhood Connections
Michael Murphy
Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Foundation
Dan Moulthrop
CEO, The City Club of Cleveland
