The Power of Local Journalism
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Here at Civility Localized, we believe in building strong, equitable communities. Every project we take on goes to further that mission. And every project we complete brings valuable experience we use to inform future work.
Our work on the Asheville Reparations Commission deeply impacted us, and we're committed to seeing local reparations initiatives take root across the country. Building political will for reparations requires a foundation of informed public discourse. One thing we’ve learned is that such discourse is hard to build in the absence of a healthy local news ecosystem. This is one of the reasons we’ve become strong advocates for supporting local, hyper-local, and independent journalism.
Ibram X. Kendi, Director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, has spoken extensively about the crucial role Black newspapers played in Black freedom struggles. News outlets run by journalists of color and their allies provided platforms for Black voices, documented racial injustice, and held powerful institutions to account. Today, independent local journalism continues this legacy, serving as watchdogs for marginalized communities and ensuring there are spaces where critical conversations can take place.
In 2020, California took a historic step by establishing the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. Spearheaded by Assembly Bill 3121, this initiative aimed to address the lasting harms of slavery and discriminatory policies on Black Californians. The task force, comprised of nine esteemed individuals, spent two years gathering evidence and public testimony. Local media played a crucial role throughout this process, providing a platform for the task force's work and amplifying the voices of Black communities. News outlets across the state covered public hearings, delved into the complexities of reparations, and fostered community discussions on racial justice.
This extensive media coverage wasn't just informative, it was vital in raising public awareness and fostering dialogue. As Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis, a California Reparations Task Force member, and UC Berkeley professor, aptly stated, “African Americans in this country have worked to fulfill the promise of reconstruction which is to gain tools and to gain property and to do the work of liberating themselves. At every single turn the state has engaged in policies and programs to interrupt that progress. And so reparations aren’t needed for African Americans to progress. Reparations are needed to compensate African Americans for the repeated disruptions to their progress.” By shining a light on these historical injustices and covering the task force’s work, local media helped pave the way for more informed discourse on reparations in California, and across the country.
Let’s break down some of the ways a strong local press strengthens both reparations movements and democracy as a whole:
Transparency and Accountability: Local journalists provide clear, accessible information about local government. This empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable and participate meaningfully in discussions about public projects, including reparations initiatives.
Elevating Diverse Voices: Local news outlets have the capacity and proximity to dig into specific experiences of the communities they serve. Reparations conversations must consider the unique historical context of each locality, and local journalists ensure those stories are heard.
Building Trust: In an age of national polarization, AI bots, and disinformation, local reporters become trusted sources. Fostering a sense of community and shared understanding is essential for building the broad coalitions needed to achieve community-building work, including reparations, at the local level.
So, What Can You Do?
For many, the call to support high-quality, ethical, and hyper-local journalism is a no-brainer. The real question becomes, what does support look like? So glad you asked! Here are a few steps to take today:
Subscribe! Many local papers offer digital subscriptions, newsletters, and free options. No matter your financial ability, subscribing to free, paid, or premium subscriptions will directly support local journalism.
Amplify Diverse Voices: Look for local outlets run by minority voices, and those prioritizing coverage of underrepresented communities. This ensures a more complete picture of the issues facing your city.
Prioritize Media Literacy: Creating shared values is important in a world with ever-shifting norms. Building communities that value media literacy is so important! So, let’s champion projects, organizations, and media outlets adding value to the media literacy movement.
Takeaways
A strong local press is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy, and the cornerstone to building political will for future movements. According to Next City reporting, in Lexington, Kentucky at least one nonprofit has seen increased participation in local government simply by keeping the public informed on issues facing their communities. By filling a need for local news coverage, this nonprofit organization is actively reviving civic participation, reducing barriers to public engagement, and bolstering democracy, one city council meeting at a time. Check out the stellar coverage by Cinnamon Janzer on the work being done by CivicLex in Lexington, KY.
By supporting independent journalism, and prioritizing digital media stewardship, hyper-local journalism, and truth-telling, we create solid foundations for informed public discourse. In this way, we make it easier for local reparations initiatives and other critical issues to be addressed with urgency, transparency, and inclusivity.
Does your town boast local journalism making a difference in the day-to-day growth of your community? We love connecting with our readers online and off to help grow public engagement that makes a difference. Drop links and reviews on our social platforms to spread the word about high-quality journalism today.
