Report for America has announced that nine news organizations, including KRWG Public Media, have joined its national movement to strengthen democracy by improving the quality and quantity of local news. At the same time, Report for America started taking applications for the next group of emerging journalists to work in these local newsrooms. Reporters may apply to participate as corps members in Report for America here.
Report for America, the only journalism initiative in the U.S. that combines public service with its mission to cover local news, recruits talented young journalists and deploys them into local news organizations.
"The judges were so impressed with the quality of KRWG's operation, its commitment to the community and its creative plan for how to use the Report for America corps member to serve the region’s needs," said Steven Waldman, President and co-founder of Report for America.
“We’re thrilled to be included in the Report for America initiative. KRWG is committed to providing the journalism necessary for an informed electorate. We are always working to find partners, local and national, to help us in this effort,” said Fred Martino, KRWG Director of Content. The Report for America initiative will fund about half of the compensation for the new reporter at KRWG.
The winning news organizations were selected based on their commitment to public service, their track record of mentoring and their plans for using the corps member effectively. In addition to KRWG Public Media, the other newsrooms chosen include: Dallas Morning News; The Macon Telegraph (Georgia, in collaboration with the News Co/Lab of Arizona State University); Chicago Sun-Times; The Victoria Advocate (Texas); The Incline (Pittsburgh) and Billy Penn (Philadelphia); Mississippi Today; and Mississippi Public Broadcasting.