Supporting local news
Amplifying newsrooms in San Francisco and the Bay Area
Local newsrooms are a key part of the civic fabric of a region. Unfortunately every newsroom in the Bay Area is struggling. As part of a nationwide trend in the decline of local news, Bay Area newsrooms struggle to find a sustainable business model. Student journalism programs are also impacted.
Goals
Amplify local news in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area.
Elevate student journalism programs in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area.
What we’ve done so far:
Awarded the weekly SF Readers Choice Award to a local news story (2021-2022).
Hosted Neighborhood Feedback Days in partnership with local newsrooms to gather community input on neighborhood bulletin boards that feature local news.
Drafted the Bay Area Local Journalism Directory.
Crowdsourced local newsroom updates at 2025 SPJ Norcal spring convening.
Encouraged local newsroom participation in inaugural SF Good Neighbor Week. Read more.
Priorities for 2026:
Continue building out the local journalism directory, with a focus on student journalism programs.
Promote student newsroom content on community bulletin boards.
Communicate the broken journalism pipeline, including the shuttering of student journalism programs and internships and the dire financial situation facing every Bay Area college journalism program.
Highlight newsrooms and college programs at risk of shutting down, as well as hidden news deserts.
Increase newsroom participation in community listening sessions during 2026 SF Good Neighbor Week.
Project Stewards
Julia Gitis, Good Neighbor Lab
Dr. Laura Moorehead, San Francisco State University
Join us
We are looking for volunteers to join us in amplifying local news in 2026.