Press Forward Washington Charter & Strategic Framework
Like sidewalks and libraries, reliable local news is essential to all healthy communities. Through reliable information sources, people learn how to vote, where to volunteer, and when to raise an issue at City Hall. What’s more, local news helps people feel more connected to their neighbors and community, allowing them to build an understanding of their shared history.
Today, local news is undergoing a crisis and a moment of transformation. The long-time, advertising-based business model is no longer viable for many news outlets. On average, two outlets close each week across the U.S. and many more are shrinking, leaving communities without critical accountability reporting. Simultaneously, corporate acquisition is consolidating outlets and reducing local coverage. As an added system stressor, mis- and dis-information are rampant, undermining the news and information landscape at all levels.
At the same time, new models show promise. A decade of philanthropic investment in journalism experimentation has produced solutions ready to scale and a new generation of leaders prepared to revitalize the field.
Strategic Values
Prioritize transformation: We will invest in ideas that will have profound and lasting change in the American media landscape, and its role in our society. We believe the sustainability of local news will depend on shifting newsrooms practice, community support, philanthropic priorities, and policy frameworks to ensure all communities have access to trusted local news and civic information.
Center community needs: We will support the news and information local communities need to flourish, foster belonging, and embrace a pluralistic democracy. Journalism takes many forms and plays many roles in a democracy, but central is truth, accuracy, and independence. This effort is focused on meeting community information needs, expanding community-centered reporting, and listening to individuals and organizations in the field.
Enable growth with equity and diversity of thought: We will close longstanding inequities in media ownership, philanthropy, and journalism, so the future of local news in America is more relevant and better serves all communities, especially those that have been historically marginalized in media and democracy.
Ensure accessibility: We will move resources to trustworthy, independent journalism that is in service to, in demand by, and available to people across America. We see journalism as a public good, that must be accessible to the widest population regardless of economic, technological, or language barriers.
Independence and interdependence: We will ensure media in America can remain strong and independent in the face of threats, while cultivating a vision of local news that values collaboration, connection, and community. Freedom of the press is paramount to any vision of a thriving democracy. At its best, that press can and will make our communities more free too.
Accelerate Resources: We will execute funding thoughtfully, setting high standards for ourselves while getting money out the door at a time when the need is high and timing pivotal. We recognize that community-driven solutions flourish when low-barrier funding is delivered in time to meet their moment of opportunity.
High journalistic standards: We will support reporting that is accurate and fair, minimizes harm, serves the public, and is accountable and transparent. We recognize these standards ensure the open and trustworthy exchange of news and information.
Washington State Tactics
To ensure factual, viable civic media, local news and information across Washington State that reflects the voices, experiences and priorities of all Washingtonians, including those historically and often excluded from representation and access, and inspires consumers to expect and demand relevant, reliable information, Press Forward Washington will:
Raise awareness and resources
Help, fund and advance relevant research
Promote, foster, and invest in:
⚫️ High journalistic standards
⚫️ Representation (in stories and bylines) and access by Washingtonians typically under-represented and overlooked, particularly Black, Indigenous, people of color, and people in rural areas
⚫️ Collaborative/shared platforms
⚫️ Innovation/incubation for new and emerging news outlets, new revenue models, technology and programs
⚫️ Existing providers open to adaptation and evolution
Learn from and share with other PF Local chapters – models, tools, infrastructure, and lessons learned
Engage in and support policy and advocacy work to advance the mission
Coordinate with and support the anticipated Washington Local News Coalition
Adapt to the changing landscape, as needed
National Tactics
As a local chapter, PFWA aligns activities to support the following Press Forward Strategic Pillars:
Strengthening local newsrooms that have the trust of local communities
There is a growing movement of community-focused journalism across the nation that is shifting how the critical stories of our time are being told. We need to make bold investments in local news organizations and the networks that support and grow them.
Closing longstanding inequalities in journalism coverage and practice
We must move resources to newsrooms and organizations that are improving diversity of experience and thought along with the availability of accurate and responsive news and information in underserved communities and economically challenged news deserts.
Accelerating the enabling environment for news production and dissemination
We need to scale the infrastructure required to support a thriving, independent local news sector, expanding shared services and tools—from legal support to membership programs.
Advancing public policies that expand access to local news and civic information
We need new frameworks and robust coalitions to advance policy ideas that expand access to news and information while strengthening the First Amendment and protecting the independence of local journalists.
Press Forward Washington
In recognition of the vital role that reliable local news and information play in fostering healthy communities, Press Forward Washington (PFWA) is dedicated to revitalizing local journalism across Washington State. By leveraging a collaborative funding effort, we aim to rebuild the state’s civic news and information infrastructure to foster belonging and community building, informed public discourse and problem-solving.
Vision
Every Washingtonian is well informed and engaged by local civic media.
Mission
Strengthen and grow a healthy, reliable local news and information ecosystem in Washington State that reflects the voices, experiences and priorities of all Washingtonians.
