RI News Collaborative Hosts Event on The Future of Local News in Rhode Island

In the beautiful, gilded conference room on the campus of Salve Regina University, approximately 85 people involved in the news media serving Rhode Island gathered to talk about the topic of the day – “No News is Bad News – The Future of Local News in Rhode Island”.

Local news is the lifeblood of democracy, but the business model that has long sustained local news is under tremendous strain.  The half-day conference on the future of local news featured two panel discussions and two keynote addresses.

The First Panel addressed Challenges and Opportunities: What News Media Looks Like Now, and was moderated by Jim Ludes, of the Pell Center, Salve Regina University.

Participating in the panel were Joy Fox, Publisher, Beacon Media RI; Bill Bartholomew, Independent ​​Journalist, Media Producer, Musician, Bartholomewtown Podcast; Eli Sherman, Investigative Reporter, WPRI; Debbie Schimberg, Publisher and Founder, Providence Eye; and Lynne Sullivan, Regional Executive Editor, Providence Journal.

The Second Panel addressed Filling Coverage Gaps: Collaboration and the end of “The Scoop”?, and was moderated by Bernardo H. Motta, Communities of Hope Civic Media, Roger Williams University.

Patricipating in the panel were Lylah Alphonse, Editor, Globe RI; Joanna Detz, Co-founder and Publisher, ecoRI News; Elizabeth McNamara, Founder and Editor, East Greenwich News; G. Wayne Miller, Founder and Director, Ocean State Stories, Salve Regina University; and Nancy Thomas, Founder and Publisher, RINewsToday.

In between panels a keynote was delivered by the co-founder and CEO of the National Trust for Local News, Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, who discussed how collaboratives are working elsewhere, particularly in northern New England, and the model to increase their effectiveness.

At the end of the half day, which included questions and answers, David Cicilline, President and CEO, Rhode Island Foundation, and Press Forward RI spoke – addressing how the Foundation will be assisting the growing news “wasteland” in Rhode Island that is happening moreso around the country. Their role in Press Forward in Rhode Island will be critical to the future of news outlets working in the state.

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What is the RI News Collaborative?

RINewsToday is one of six independent news sites announcing the formation of the Rhode Island News Collaborative (RINC), a statewide initiative bringing together independent news organizations committed to strengthening journalism across the Ocean State. The founders came together in response to the increasingly difficult environment for local news.

RINC exists to share content, build capacity, and collaboratively address the information interests of Rhode Islanders.

The founding members of RINC are:

• Communities of Hope Civic Media
• East Greenwich News
• ecoRI News
• Ocean State Stories
• The Providence Eye
• RINewsToday

“RINC is about maximizing resources,” said Jo Detz, publisher and co-founder of ecoRI News. “By creating a hub for expanding editorial and training capacity, members can access support and infrastructure that would be out of reach individually, reducing duplication and freeing up time to focus on journalism.”

“We also want RINC to expand the reach of member outlets,” said Elizabeth McNamara, editor of East Greenwich News and RINC Membership Secretary. “Through content sharing, statewide coverage coordination, and joint distribution efforts, RINC helps members connect with new audiences and serve more Rhode Islanders with critical local news.”

“At the core of our effort is a desire to amplify the impact of local journalism,” said G. Wayne Miller, director and editor of Ocean State Stories. “Collaboration increases our ability to influence statewide conversations, demonstrate journalistic value to funders and policymakers, and elevate underreported issues through collaborative reporting.”

“Ultimately, this is about growing the next generation,” said Bernardo Motta, editor-in-chief, Communities of Hope Civic Media. “We can build inclusive pathways for students, freelancers, and emerging journalists with shared training, mentorship, and internship programs that support a more diverse and sustainable future for Rhode Island journalism.”

Debbie Schimberg, publisher and founder of the The Providence Eye, added, “RINC is such an exciting initiative, bringing together community-focused journalism from all over Rhode Island to make sure all residents have access to local news. We need trustworthy local news now more than ever.”

“As small as Rhode Island can seem – and is – we are fortunate to have a robust news environment, and when organizations collaborate and share resources, it strengthens all of us, amplifies our voice, and ultimately benefits all the communities we serve,” said Nancy Thomas, publisher of RINewsToday.

The Rhode Island News Collaborative has an open membership model, meaning other independent news organizations are invited to join. Members benefit from:

• content-sharing and joint editorial projects, allowing outlets to expand content offerings without hiring additional staff;
• collaborating on training, internships, and community engagement;
• joint fundraising efforts and access to pooled resources; and
• a stronger voice in shaping the future of Rhode Island’s news ecosystem.

Membership is open to news organizations that: 

1. Serve a Rhode Island audience

2. Produce and publish original journalism

3. Commit to the SPJ Code of Ethics

4. Agree to contribute content and participate in collaborative efforts as capacity allows

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For those who may have an interest in learning more about the RI Collaborative, contact me! Nancy Thomas, founder and publisher of the RINewsToday.com.

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