...Knight has also supported the Documenters Program, started by the City Bureau in Chicago, where citizens are trained by journalists and dispatched to cover local government meetings. The project is expanding to other cities.
That effort, however, illustrates the challenges faced by philanthropists. Funding specific investigative projects has its worth, but the impact of cutbacks is seen — or, more accurately, not seen — in the thousands of state, city and town government organizations whose meetings are no longer attended by reporters on a regular basis.
Recovering what has been lost by the thousands of journalists no longer on the beat requires fundamental changes in the business of local journalism. Preston said Knight recognizes this and is funding efforts designed to develop more sustainable business models.
“We are at a critical juncture at this moment in time to make these investments at a local level to help rebuild trust in journalism, one community at a time,” she said.
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20190219/news/302199972/
I'd work for free or donate to a group like this.
https://www.documenters.org/
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