How to build effective partnerships for local journalism

Following on in the next instalment of trends shaping how we communicate in 2025 within the public sector: 📝 The changing face of local journalism. Across the UK, local newsrooms have been shrinking for years. Fewer reporters on the ground, fewer papers in print, and less time for in-depth stories. Yet at the same time, trust in local media has grown, because when done well, it feels closer, more human, and genuinely connected to people’s lives. For those working in or alongside the public sector, this matters. Local outlets are often the bridge between national policy and real community impact. When they disappear, so does a big part of the public conversation. Some things that I’ve noticed from comms teams and journalists: 🗞️ Relationships still matter. With smaller newsrooms, building personal connections with local journalists can make all the difference. 📍 Relevance is key. Local stories need local angles, people want to see how decisions affect their area. 💡 Partnerships can help. Collaborating with local outlets (or even community media projects) can amplify stories that might otherwise be missed. 🧭 Transparency builds trust. In tight-knit communities, openness and honesty count for more than polished messaging. Local journalism might look very different in 2025, but its role in shaping informed, connected communities is as important as ever. I am certainly intrigued to see how this is shaped in 2026. #Media #Comms #PublicSector #LocalJournalism #Storytelling #UKMedia #Community

Every community deserves access to reliable local information, but in many places, coverage of key issues like housing, education, and public health can be difficult to find. In a new piece, my colleague Loretta Chao shares insights from the American Journalism Project's analysis of more than a dozen local media ecosystems — looking at what's being covered, what's missing, and how new models are emerging to help fill the gaps. It's a fascinating and clear-eyed view of the challenges facing #localnews, and a hopeful look at what's possible when we approach this work with collaboration and intention. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJeQEkUb

There are a myriad of reasons why reporters decide to launch their own news sites, but these enterprising journalists often face a series of new, daunting challenges. Here's how to dodge these pitfalls. https://twp.ai/E6Ak9e

🛠️ Rebuilding the Research Desk in Local Newsrooms. According to a new piece by Nieman Journalism Lab, MuckRock Foundation is merging with Sunlight Research Center to help strengthen under-resourced newsrooms by providing research support—everything from background checks to campaign-finance and court-record analysis. This matters on several fronts: • 🔍 Investigative muscles matter — Local newsrooms often lack the capacity to dig into public officials or test power; this merger brings back that toolkit. • 🤝 Shared infrastructure = survival — Smaller papers and nonprofits can’t always build in-house labs; shared resources like this are one path toward equity. • 🧭 Signal for funders & policymakers — Investments in “support infrastructure” matter just as much as reporter salaries; we need policy that backs the research desk, not just click-chasing staff. Local journalism isn’t optional—it’s essential for accountability, civic connection, and shared understanding. If we want an informed public, newsrooms need all the tools they can get, and this is a smart move. 🔗 Read more: Rebuilding the research desk in local newsrooms https://lnkd.in/esDzCbgj #LocalNews 📰 #MediaJustice ⚖️ #InvestigativeJournalism 🕵️ #DemocracyMatters 🌍 #ProgressiveMedia

At the Vatican this week, Pope Leo XIV met with global newswire leaders, including representatives from Australian Associated Press, to champion press freedom and the vital role of news agencies in a healthy democracy. In his address, the Pope described journalism as a “public good that we all should protect,” praising the work of reporters and editors who provide trusted, verified information in an era of clickbait and misinformation. He cast a light specifically on the work of newswire reporters: “Journalists working for news agencies are called upon to be the first to arrive on the scene and report on breaking news. This is even more true in the era of continuous live communication and the increasingly pervasive digitisation of mass media.” Earlier in his papacy, Pope Leo also defended freedom of speech and the press, calling journalism essential to the pursuit of truth and democracy. Now in its 90th year, Australian Associated Press remains the nation’s only independent newswire, delivering public-interest reporting to hundreds of outlets, including many in regional areas. At the MINDS International conference in Rome, discussions focused on the future of journalism, global press freedom, and the challenges posed by AI-driven information ecosystems. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/46IqdMe

Here is another thought-provoking conversation aimed at exploring how journalists can make their work more meaningful, relevant, and influential in today’s rapidly changing media landscape. It focuses on strategies for effective storytelling, the responsibility of journalists to report stories that create real societal impact, and how the media can bridge the gap between information and transformation. The session will emphasise accuracy, credibility, and depth in reporting, while also examining the role of digital tools and innovative platforms in expanding journalism’s reach. Ultimately, the event seeks to inspire journalists to go beyond breaking news, toward stories that inform, engage, and drive positive change in their communities. We have got seasoned journalists- *Daud Olatunji, Editor Platform Times News Paper* and *Ojuroungbe Sodiq of PUNCH Newspapers* will be doing justice to the topic. The training comes up on Thursday 30th Of October, 2025 via Google Meet. Time: 10:00 AM (WAT) To be part, kindly save the link below and click to join on the said date. https://lnkd.in/gi674gj8

A merger between MuckRock and Sunlight Research Center will help slimmed-down newsrooms investigate local governments, public officials, and more, from Nieman Journalism Lab. https://lnkd.in/gmKGkaZe

"Mainstream journalism tends to cater to wealthier audiences, who are more attractive to advertisers and more likely to pay for a news subscription. This often excludes underserved communities from mainstream news coverage and creates spaces where poor people’s concerns are hidden from public discourse." Read Marina Adami's interviews with some of those trying do things differently, center different experiences and voices, and reach different parts of the public. https://lnkd.in/eG7BHqWJ

Reporting for regional audiences can be time and resource intensive for journalists due to the challenge of covering a large geographic area with a dispersed population. But many local journalists have found an opportunity in this to build engagement and connection, turning to their communities to help source images and information. The Westsider Newspaper and Online unpacks the challenge and opportunity of covering local news for an audience spread out over a large geographic area, not just regionally but for metro coverage as well: https://lnkd.in/gzXMwFWT

Earlier this month, 180 participants gathered at #CNTINewsgeist to push their thinking on some of the biggest challenges facing journalism today. CNTI staff highlight some major themes that stuck out to us in our new takeaway report. 👉 The news industry needs to improve its willingness to innovate and adopt new technology. 👉 To push back on threats to journalistic freedom and safety, the news industry in the U.S. can learn from other countries and focus on creating solidarity and public awareness around their work. 👉 Reporting the truth is the answer to regaining public trust, but we need to rethink how the audience receives information. 👉 We all need to do a better job of articulating journalism’s value. https://lnkd.in/eezSSg2K