Clockwise from left to right: Panel discussion on fundraising led by Dr Paulette Brown-Hinds, founder, Voice Media Ventures with Dr Emily Young, vice president of programs at the Prebys Foundation; Vanessa Bechtel, president & CEO, Ventura Country Community Foundation and Christina Shih, senior director of Development, Learning and Strategy, Press Forward
Long Live Independent, Local News!
Global Southasia Founder and Editor Beena Sarwar and I (Coordinating Editor Regina Johnson) recently returned from LION Publisher’s Independent News Sustainability Summit held in San Diego from 9-11 September. The Summit brought together hundreds local independent news organizations like India Currents, which focuses on the Indian diaspora community in the United States, and the Nepali community based news portal Khasokhas.
The Summit focused on issues important to the local newsrooms such as sustainable revenue, audience relationships, operational resilience, innovation and collaboration. It was an energizing experience. I left with fresh ideas about strengthening community connections. Most importantly, the Summit was a reminder that local independent journalism is vital to the future of news and information.
Exchanging ideas at the Independent News Sustainability Summit in San Diego (L to R) Beena Sarwar, founder and editor Global Southasia; Regina Johnson, coordinating editor; Rebecca Martin newsroom cohort manager, California Local News Fellowship; and Vandana Kumar, publisher and CEO India Currents
The Summit is a reminder as to why independent news remains essential.
