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POYNTER Recognizes RINewsToday.com for Reporting
In August of 2019, Poynter contacted RINewsToday about a story we had done. They were particularly interested in how a news story could impact change in a community. The status of the Providence schools was the topic. They submitted a series of questions which resulted in an article in the prestigious Poynter.org.
What is Poynter?
For those not in journalism or reporting, The Poynter Institute has grown to the world’s most influential school for journalists.
Poynter is an instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens. We serve not only 21st-century democracies, but those in corners of the globe where people who honor freedom and self-government struggle against tyrants and autocrats.
Poynter champions freedom of expression, civil dialogue and compelling journalism that helps citizens participate in healthy democracies. We prepare journalists worldwide to hold powerful people accountable and promote honest information in the marketplace of ideas.
Founded in 1975, Poynter is an inspirational place but also a practical one, connecting the varied crafts of journalism to its higher mission and purpose. From person-to-person coaching and intensive hands-on seminars to interactive online courses and media reporting, Poynter helps journalists sharpen skills and elevate storytelling throughout their careers.
Poynter specializes in:
- Ethics and fact-checking
- Reporting and storytelling
- Developing journalism’s leaders
- Advancing newsroom diversity
- Strengthening local news companies
We reprint the article that was printed in their feature on RINewsToday:
Newsroom: RI News Today
Newsroom size: 11
Story: Providence School Condition Shocked Alums Into Action
Who worked on this? Nancy Thomas, founder and editor, and reader Thomas Aquino
Answers from: Nancy Thomas
How did you make this story happen?
Recently, a situation with the destructive disrepair of the Providence schools took over the news cycle. The one thing missing was the visual documentation of this. Remembering some discussion by a high school alum about raising money to repair the auditorium of his beloved high school, I reached out to him on Facebook, and he and I wrote the story — and printed the photos — that graphically showed the disrepair. Once the story came out, I promoted it to a local radio talk show host and the alum went on the radio to talk about it. Since that time, two contractors have stepped forward to volunteer their services and skills. This is a developing story in our state. This week we will publish a colleague’s blog in the voice of a teacher.
Image via RINewsToday by Tom Aquino
What did you learn?
The story would have been powerful — but in this case, the photos carried the story. I also learned that Facebook is an amazing resource for journalists, maybe because those who are prolific yearn for the opportunity to write, and in this case, to have a byline.
How can other local newsrooms do work like this?
Go outside of normal sources. In this case, a strong edit was better than writing it for the alum. It was his story, and I was glad to step into the background on it.
Here is a link to read the story on the Providence schools in its entirety: