By Jim Boren

The atmosphere was charged with optimism as about 200 news leaders and foundation executives convened a journalism conference at Stanford University. Their shared objective: Devise a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the precarious business model of news, especially traditional newspapers.

Discussions at the California Journalism Summit revolved around cultivating sustainable support through avenues such as community donations and foundation funding, with the overarching goal of fortifying the future of quality journalism.

Insightful proposals for financing local news initiatives were shared, especially leveraging the mighty resources of the many community foundations in California. But it also became evident that the era of thousands of local reporters acting as vigilant government watchdogs at city halls across the country had come to an end. 

This realization was particularly poignant for the seasoned journalists in the room who had the privilege of experiencing the pre-internet era, with expansive newsrooms diligently scrutinizing local governments and politicians. There was an acknowledgment that the age of almost limitless reporting resources has drawn to a close, and that isn’t good for anyone.

It’s important to acknowledge the valuable contributions of emerging digital start-up news operations in serving their communities. They are particularly significant in communities of color where ethnic media sites have become important local voices. It’s also evident that the impact of digital start-ups is somewhat constrained by their size and number. These nimble newsrooms, though influential, are not yet pervasive enough to compensate for the huge decline in traditional journalism. 

Axios reports, for example, that the decline of local newspapers accelerated so rapidly in 2023 that analysts now believe that by next year, the United States will have lost one-third of the newspapers it had in 2005. And of those still operating, the newsrooms are a fraction of their size a decade ago.

I remember the heyday of my former workplace, The Fresno Bee, boasting a robust newsroom with 200 staffers. The Sunday paper delivered fearless front-page confrontations with the political establishment through investigative reporting, often prompting resignations at city hall or the district attorney contemplating charges against a public official. In comparison, the current landscape highlights the need for a more widespread and robust network of journalistic endeavors to help close the information gaps left by the shrinking traditional media outlets.

But as my friends often tell me, “You’re living in the past.” So how can those supporting quality journalism propel themselves forward within the contemporary news business model, particularly when Google, Facebook, and other tech giants have siphoned the majority of advertising dollars from traditional news sources? This pivotal question took center stage at the Stanford conference. There weren’t a lot of answers beyond philanthropy. 

Many newsrooms are seeking to bridge the funding gap through contributions from readers and foundations committed to the belief that communities thrive when journalists, impartially reporting both positive and negative narratives, uncover the pulse of a locale.

Philanthropy is increasingly becoming a linchpin in the preservation of independent journalism. For example, foundations with a focus on environmental concerns are championing the cause by funding climate reporters at some local news outlets. This trend extends to health care and education foundations, which are contributing to journalistic endeavors on those subjects. In a noteworthy development, certain foundations dedicated to journalism are taking a proactive step by establishing news sites that address and cover local issues within their communities, and making that content available to other local news sites.

As the Stanford conference concluded, attendees collectively committed to advancing their efforts through a new initiative, “Catalyzing California.” This effort aims to elevate public awareness of the indispensable role of local journalism. Studies indicate that in communities that have lost local news sources, taxes go up, voter participation declines and public corruption is unchecked.

Stanford conference organizers said the group is now at a “moment of accountability, where stakeholders recognized the need to ensure that local news reflects the communities it serves.” The group is mobilizing supporters to build on the work of the Stanford conference.

Undoubtedly, journalism philanthropy has emerged as a crucial force to address the vacuum created by the decline of newspapers. While it may not fully restore journalism to its former robustness, it currently stands as the primary and indispensable means for preserving community access to information.

Right now, there doesn’t appear to be a better option to keep local journalism alive.

Jim Boren, former executive editor of The Fresno Bee, is director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State and a journalism faculty member.