Joel EngelhardtLenfest News Summit in Philadelphia brings together independent newsrooms searching for ways to continue delivering the news.
Joel joined about 350 independent journalists from across the country in May at the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit in Philadelphia. Presenters at the two-day event shared ways to build sustainable news organizations.
Why it’s important: The Lenfest Institute (owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer) and Press Forward, are refusing to let journalism slide into history. Press Forward is spearheading a coalition that has committed $500 million to support news gathering in America.
Two leading Press Forward contributors have local ties:
- The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation forged its fortune from the real estate holdings of Palm Beach Gardens founder and insurance tycoon John D. MacArthur.
- The Knight Foundation grew out of the newspaper fortune of Jack Knight, whose Knight-Ridder Inc. owned the Miami Herald.
The bottom line: News reporting organizations, faced with the collapse of the industry’s financial model, refuse to go away. Many, including Stet News, have adopted a nonprofit model to deliver the news.
What they’re saying: The environment for raising money is harder than ever, said Kimberly Spencer, director of the Colorado Media Project. Yes, supporters should give to the local food bank, but they need trustworthy sources of information as well. “People need good, solid information to keep them safe,” she said.
- Donors don’t want to hear “We’re trying to save democracy,” she said. Instead, she said, emphasize that you’re providing the information residents need to engage in their community.
- “It’s not about news or mainstream media. It’s about information needs,” she said. “Good civic information.”
Of note: Libraries are among the most trusted institutions, research surveys show. Andrew Finlayson of SmithGeiger presented detailed research to provide journalists with an idea of what people want — and what they don’t want.
What he found: They want authenticity of information and to hold the powerful accountable.
Final thoughts: The conference revealed high enthusiasm, commitment to the cause and the beginnings of a path toward continuing America’s legacy of strong news organizations willing to do what must be done to report accurately and independently on government actions and society as a whole.
We are grateful to have you with us on this journey. You, too, can help. Share this email with your friends or post Stet’s coverage on social media. You’ll be part of a new age of news distribution replacing the once-beloved tradition of daily delivery of a printed newspaper.
Joel is a founder, reporter and editor at Stet News. His award-winning newspaper career spanned more than 40 years, including 28 years at The Palm Beach Post, which he left in 2020. Joel lives with his wife in Palm Beach Gardens. He volunteers on the board of NAMI Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Gardens Historical Society.
