The GroundTruth Project

Mission

Lever for Change 100&Change2021 Finalist

The stunning collapse of local news is a crisis for democracy. Disinformation is flooding into the vacuum created by the dramatic decline of community journalism. News deserts are spreading—and as a result, polarization is rising and communities are less able to solve their own problems. Trust is declining. Division and corruption are growing. We are at a historic inflection point: we need to decide whether we want to create a better local news system—and a better democracy—or face the consequences of losing both.

Fortunately, a solution exists—a tested, scalable plan to address this deep crisis: a national service program for local journalism. Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, already places hundreds of reporters in local newsrooms around the country. With additional philanthropic support, we can field thousands.

Just as important, we can fundamentally transform the nature and financing of local news to ensure it’s here for generations to come. For every dollar Report for America dedicates to support a reporter, the local newsroom and community must also raise a dollar. We are helping hundreds of local newsrooms draw small and large donors alike off the sidelines to support public service journalism.

This is a pivotal moment in American history. The old local news system is withering away, with catastrophic consequences. Report for America can create permanent systems change that serves all people. We can create a movement that replaces news deserts with an oasis—a reimagined and revitalized ecosystem for local reporting that strengthens communities by strengthening journalism.

Organization Information