Leaders from the worlds of journalism, philanthropy, technology and community engagement gathered in Miami last week at the annual Knight Media Forum to discuss ways of strengthening local news.
Here are some key takeaways from those who attended on behalf of the Local Media Association.
Nancy Lane, CEO Emeritus
We met with a number of community and regional foundations while at the Knight Media Forum. They are trying to figure out how to best support their local media ecosystems. Local media leaders need to be engaged with philanthropic leaders in their communities and involved in any discussions involving local Press Forward chapters. All voices are needed as these foundations are working hard to have impact. Go have coffee or lunch as soon as possible and get to know these folks.
Our industry is not OK with what is going on in our country. The threats to freedom of the press, the anti-DEI movement and the safety of our journalists were all top of mind during many side meetings and hallway conversations. Read Jim Friedlich’s excellent op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer for more context.
The funding community seems as committed as ever to supporting us. We probably need to quadruple the amount raised so far for Press Forward. Demand exceeds supply.
Rob Collins, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Media Center
This year’s Knight Media Forum started with Knight President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth telling us “the power to create change isn’t lost — it’s local.”
We must fortify the Fourth Estate by doubling down on the demand side with a sustainable network to connect community information in more easily accessible ways. Local news as a watchdog and guide dog must learn new tricks. News distribution should be less reactive and more proactive, evolving seamlessly with ever-changing technology. That will help make overworked and overwhelmed citizens feel personally invested in the value of trustworthy information created at the local level.
Apryl Pilolli, director of technology and innovation at the Knight X LMA BloomLab
At the forum panel on ‘Addressing the Local Information Drought,’ Dean Baquet, former executive editor of the New York Times, highlighted a challenge of foundation funding. While it supports vital topics like criminal justice and education, it can inadvertently result in “joyless and dutiful” reporting.
He stressed that building audiences requires reflecting the full spectrum of community life, including its joys.
“If you really want people to come back,” Baquet stated, “you have got to figure out a way to have stuff in your report that just reflects the joy of your communities. It can’t all be spinach.”
Sustainable local news needs substance and celebrations of local culture, arts, food and everyday experiences.
Shana Black, Black Girl Media
Lots of talk around immigration and there felt like a push to expand the definition of who “qualifies” as a journalist. There was also concern about how we navigate under the current administration.
Judi Terzotis, president of The Advocate/Times Picayune
The Knight Media Forum was an incredibly inspiring experience, featuring exceptional programming that highlighted innovative approaches to local journalism and community engagement. It provided a valuable opportunity to network with peers and potential funders, fostering meaningful discussions about the future of news sustainability.
Leo Cusimano, publisher at Dallas Voice | OUT North Texas
The 2025 Knight Media Forum was truly inspiring and emotional for me, reinforcing just how vital local journalism is to our communities. The quality of speakers was exceptional, but it was the students who really stood out… their passion and perspectives were a powerful indication of the bright future of media. The forum also made it clear that trust, innovation, and sustainability are key to strengthening local news, and I came away feeling more motivated and excited about what’s next.
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