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Hi everyone,
As we wind down from last week's NJ Local News Summit, this newsletter is just a few days behind schedule. But we're back with more NJ newsroom developments, job alerts, and funding opportunities you won't want to miss!
— Cassandra
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🙌 First NJ Local News Summit is in the books!
We hope you joined us for the summit panels on community information need assessments, current unionization efforts, and a collective agenda and vision for the future of NJ local news, plus lightning talks from news leaders and creatives from around the state. We'll be sharing recordings and event materials for those who want to catch up on the highlights here; much more to be added in the coming days!
We had a blast and are looking forward to the next Center event. Look out for more details on the NJ News Commons relaunch and our 10th anniversary celebration very soon!
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 Newsroom moves
Big change coming to NJ Advance Media as SVP Kevin Whitmer departs
 Last week, Kevin Whitmer announced he'll leave his post atop NJ Advance Media as of Dec. 31. Whitmer spent 26 years at the Star-Ledger, during which time he served as sports editor, managing editor, and editor in chief. In his current role, Whitmer has steered the state’s largest newspaper as the senior vice president for content, expansion and development at NJ Advance Media. During his leadership, Whitmer has pushed for increased reader subscriptions in response to declining circulation, encouraged a shift to statewide rather than local news, and faced criticism over the lack of diversity in the newspaper's ranks from journalists of color. Read more on Whitmer’s tenure from the the New Jersey Globe.
In his statement, Whitmer said a major factor in his decision to leave is the need for new leadership:
“In short, it is time — time for a new perspective and new leadership as our newsroom emerges from 16 long years of industry turmoil and budget cuts, and now turns the corner on a road to growth and an incredibly promising future. The next leader will step into this great opportunity with the resources to do more journalism and make a number of hires. There haven’t been many editors in our state for a long time now who can start a job and say that.
As for me, it is time to step away, recharge, do some work on myself and think about how I want the next few years of my life to look. That might be consulting, teaching, volunteering or maybe some wonderful mix of all three.
I can’t imagine, though, ever being too far from the work of the team at NJ Advance Media and the content that is the engine for NJ.com, lehighvalleylive.com, The Star-Ledger and our other affiliated newspapers."
In other news…
Congrats to new NJ Spotlight News Multimedia Producer/Editor Taylor Jung!
The move is a promotion for Jung, who previously worked as an associate producer on the assignment desk. The new role includes a focus on social justice reporting.
Celebrating the announcement via Twitter, Jung wrote:
“It's so, so, so gratifying to know everything I have been working on since college is finally coming [to] fruition - I get to report on the issues that I hold close. Everyone I've encountered in my life has contributed to this moment in some way, but...I want to say thank you to @jblee883 @johnpmcalpin @JMOONEY22 (+ a couple others!) for making this happen.”
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🎉 CONGRATS to Chalkbeat Newark bureau chief, Catherine Carrera on Upward coaching fellowship!
 Catherine Carrera, who became bureau chief of Chalkbeat Newark this past spring, has been selected as part of the inaugural Upward coaching fellowship for rising journalists of color in local news. The fellowship, presented by The University of Missouri’s Reynold’s Journalism, is a seven-month leadership development program that seeks to build community, advance solutions to improve the culture of local newsrooms and address challenges that emerging leaders face.
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📋 Story to watch: Alden Global Capital announces offer to acquire Lee Enterprises, which owns Press of Atlantic City
Axios media reporter Sara Fischer posted the news that Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund known for cutting journalists at local papers to maximize profits, has announced an offer to acquire Lee Enterprises for $24 per share. Lee owns the Press of Atlantic City, the fourth-largest newspaper in New Jersey.
Alden acquired the remainder of Tribune Publishing earlier this year, and according to Poynter.org, had slashed 10 percent of newsroom staff within six weeks of the buyout.
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📂 Resources:
Growing audience donations to support local news
The Local Media Association recently launched the 2021 Local News Fund to help "independent or family-owned news organizations looking to raise money for local journalism projects via tax-deductible donations from the public." Participating organizations will identify at least one critical local issue and produce a journalism project or increased coverage with the help of Local News Fund dollars. To learn more about eligibility requirements, read the full announcement.
Also, the American Press Institute has shared a helpful round-up of local news outlets that have successfully pursued readership donations for specific news beats. You can check it out here.
A guide to fact-checking investigative stories
Global Investigative Journalism Network has published a refresher guide for fact-checking investigative stories. The piece calls for a three-step approach that allows readers to challenge a story's premise early in the research process, assess whether the story draft is thorough and fair in its conclusions, and check for any remaining inaccuracies during a line-by-line edit. Read more here.
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GRANTS & FUNDING:
AWARDS:
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is now accepting nominations for its national contests, beginning with the Mark of Excellence Awards for the best in collegiate journalism. Check here to apply and learn more about all the awards categories.
GET INVOLVED:
Impact Architects and Democracy Fund are hoping to learn more about the state of engaged journalism and invite journalists, journalism advocates, and researchers to share their experience and insights. They will publish their aggregate findings so that the field as a whole has a chance to benefit from their findings. To learn more and take the 10-min survey, follow this link.
GRANTS & FUNDING:
Apply to join Tiny News Collective!
The Tiny News Collective has begun the search for six organizations to join its second cohort of founders. The collective works with founders of local news organizations across the U.S. to make journalism entrepreneurship "more accessible and achievable for people across the country seeking to serve their communities with the news and information they are receiving." Thanks to a new partnership with the Reynolds Journalism Institute, members of the second Tiny News Collective cohort are eligible to be considered for additional funding and resources from RJI. TNC participation also includes $50,000 in funding per year for two years. Read this post to learn about TNC resources available to selected founders, and contact moumita@newscatalyst.org or press@tinynewsco.org for more information. Apply by Jan. 9, 2022!
Connected Coastlines Grants
The Pulitzer Center is seeking applications from journalists who want to report stories as part of Connected Coastlines, a nationwide climate reporting initiative in U.S. coastal states. Started in 2019, this initiative is building a consortium of newsrooms and independent journalists across the U.S. to report on the local effects of erratic weather patterns on coastal populations using the latest climate science. This grant opportunity is now open, and applications will be reviewed on a first come, rolling basis. The Pulitzer Center will prioritize proposals that can be completed, including publication, in 1-4 months. Learn more information and apply here.
USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism's Impact Fund for Reporting on Health Equity and Health Systems
With support from The Commonwealth Fund, the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism is launching a new Impact Fund for Reporting on Health Equity and Health Systems. The Fund will support ambitious investigative or explanatory projects on how systemic issues in health care policy and practice result in inequities in access to health care, the quality of treatment, patient experiences and health outcomes for people of color. This fund will provide reporting grants of $2,000-$10,000 and five months of mentoring by veteran journalists to up to eight competitively chosen journalists from around the country. Grantees also will benefit from online trainings focused on the interplay between health systems and health equity and participate in monthly meetings with other grantees. For more information, visit the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism website and contact Martha Shirk at CAHealth@usc.edu before applying. The deadline to apply is November 30.
NOW HIRING:
NJ Advance Media hiring investigative reporter
NJ Advance, home of The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, is seeking to hire an experienced investigative journalist to report on issues ranging from schools and criminal justice to the environment and infrastructure. For more info, visit this link.
Multiple Openings at TAPinto
TAPinto, a network of more than 90 online local news sites, has multiple freelance, part-time, and full-time journalism opportunities available. To apply, fill out this form.
From Jerry DeMarco, Senior Content Editor at Morris Daily Voice:
Good day, all. I need to find a pro for a full-time gig. All remote (unless it happens around the block from you). Pretty much all news (350-500 words). Full excellent benefits. PM me on Facebook or text and I'll call: (201) 943-2794.
Audience Development Strategist, WNET Group
An immediate opportunity is available for a data-minded Audience Development Strategist with excellent editorial judgment. The Audience Development Strategist is responsible for developing and executing on short- and long-term content and growth strategies, surfacing insights, and leveraging opportunities to expand content reach and audience engagement. To learn more and apply for this position, visit this link.
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Know of an open job or other opportunity? Let us know and we'll feature it! Email info@centerforcooperativemedia.org
DISCLAIMER: The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State lists open positions as a service to NJ News Commons members throughout the state. Listings are updated periodically and do not constitute any endorsement of publications and workplaces listed.
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📚 What we're reading
About a third of news organizations have adopted a remote or hybrid working model
"Hybrid working will be the norm for many journalists, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Just 9% of news organizations plan to reject remote work entirely and return to their pre-pandemic model... The vast majority (89%) of newsroom leaders said they were fully on board with flexible and hybrid working. Now the question seems to be: what's the best way to make it work?" Read the full Neiman Lab article here.
On the rise of ethnic news media
This Axios piece covers the increasing number of ethnic news outlets covering local news "and serving up coverage that seeks to rectify journalistic bias in story selection and how news is framed." These publications help fill information gaps in 'news deserts' or areas where local newspapers have folded, and communities are left without access to new coverage. Read more here.
How newsrooms can do less work — but have more impact
The American Press Institute offers a guide for news organizations with limited staff and resources to help with prioritizing the work that matters. Read more for tips on how to cut back while maximizing on stories that best serve your readership and drive up revenue.
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📭 Get in touch!
Thanks for checking out "The Newsroom Digest." We look forward to bringing you the next edition in two weeks. In the meantime, please reach out with any news items and developments at your publication, including accomplishments, staffing updates, and examples of community impact.
Let us know: info@centerforcooperativemedia.org
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