Center for Cooperative Media

12/10/2025

Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times' Local Investigations Fellowship and former top editor of The Times, is training the next generation of investigative reporters through partnerships with local newsrooms nationwide.

The program has delivered significant results in three years: contributing to a 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning project with The Baltimore Banner and earning 2024 finalist recognition with Mississippi Today. The fellowship currently works with 30-40 reporters across the country.

Baquet says he champions collaboration over competition in modern local journalism. Some fellowship projects publish simultaneously across 15-20 news organizations to maximize impact. The program recently launched Deep South Today, designed to build sustainable investigative operations that continue independently after fellowship support ends.

Read the full interview by Will Fischer.

Dean Baquet is the executive editor of the Local Investigations Fellowship at The New York Times. Baquet previously served as the executive…

12/05/2025

🌐 Journalism collaborations shine at global conference

The winners of the Global Shining Light Awards were announced at the conference. Several collaborations received top honors across categories.

PLUS: A roundup of collaborative work in journalism

12/04/2025

Democracy Day 2025 has uncovered what works in local democracy coverage—and what newsrooms need to do more of it.

The nationwide collaborative journalism project surveyed hundreds of local newsrooms across all 50 states to understand how journalists are responding to threats against democratic principles. The findings offer a clear roadmap for strengthening civic journalism.

Democracy Day is now seeking funding to expand voter guide production, facilitate technology access for newsrooms, and provide coaching on accessibility and community engagement for the 2026 and 2027 election cycles. The goal is to reach underserved communities and cover elections that might otherwise go unreported.

U.S. Democracy Day is a nationwide collaborative journalism project of the Center for Cooperative Media, housed at Montclair State…

12/04/2025

📰 Special report: How journalists responded to democracy under threat

A free press is often understood as a crucial pillar of a healthy, functioning democracy. But what does this actually look like, in practice?

A free press is often understood as a crucial pillar of a healthy, functioning democracy. But what does this actually look like, in practice?

12/04/2025

Jason Strother of Lens15 demonstrates a profound shift in accessibility technology through his "Blindness 101" lesson at Montclair State University. The smartphone has consolidated what once required multiple bulky assistive devices into a single tool that fits in a pocket.

Through firsthand demonstrations at art museums and supermarkets, Strother shows how screen readers like TalkBack and VoiceOver, combined with apps such as Seeing AI, enable people with visual impairments to navigate daily tasks independently. Camera magnification helps with reading. Audio descriptions unlock cultural experiences. Apps connect users with sighted agents for real-time guidance.

The lesson underscores an important reality for media makers and designers: thoughtful accessibility features like ALT text and audio descriptions don't just improve experiences—they open up previously inaccessible parts of daily life.

How people with visual conditions use tech to consume media and navigate the world

12/04/2025

Join this virtual press briefing on 12/9 from 12-1pm EST featuring leaders from NJ's environmental justice communities who are developing innovative solutions to climate challenges.

Community leaders from the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, Center for Environmental Transformation, Friends of Metcalf Park, and Ironbound Community Corporation will share practical approaches to flood prevention, climate adaptation, and community preparedness that prioritize local needs.

Journalists, community organizers, and concerned citizens will learn how frontline communities are building climate resilience and protecting vulnerable neighborhoods from extreme weather. The event includes a panel discussion and Q&A session.

Registration is free, and all attendees receive access to the recording.

Join us on Dec. 9 for a conversation about building safer, more prepared NJ neighborhoods

12/02/2025

✨ It's Giving Newsday — support local journalism in New Jersey

Your donation to these 8 NJ newsrooms can be matched thanks to the NJ Civic Information Consortium.

Your donation to these 8 NJ newsrooms can be matched thanks to the NJ Civic Information Consortium.

12/02/2025

Kleibeel Marcano refuses to let fear silence the communities he serves. The editor of New Jersey's Reporte Hispano newspaper launched his publication in 2006 to fill a critical gap—providing Spanish-language journalism focused on social and civic issues rather than entertainment.

Now, as ICE arrests double and 72% of detainees have no criminal convictions, Marcano's mission has become even more urgent. He continues publishing both print and digital editions to reach readers without internet access and combat misinformation spreading through vulnerable communities.

Despite declining readership, reduced ad revenue, and digital competition, Marcano draws on his Venezuelan journalism background and deep community connections to keep informing and empowering immigrant communities when they need it most. His commitment demonstrates why local ethnic media remains essential during times of crisis.

Reporte Hispano, one of the major Spanish-language newspapers in New Jersey, plans to continue printing to serve the Latino community…

12/02/2025

The NJ Civic Information Consortium is doubling the impact of donations to eight local news organizations through a $5,000 matching fund initiative as part of NewsMatch 2025. Every dollar donated today goes twice as far in supporting journalism that matters.

The participating newsrooms—Civic News Company, CivicStory, Food Bank News, Montclair Local, Public Square Amplified, Shelterforce, The Jersey Bee, and The Jersey Vindicator—cover the stories that shape daily life across New Jersey. From school board decisions to municipal meetings, from housing justice to investigative reporting, these organizations do the essential work of keeping communities informed.

This support comes at a pivotal moment. While New Jersey has seen newsroom job losses at established outlets, new organizations continue emerging to serve communities statewide. They need community backing to sustain their work.

Residents can make a direct difference today by donating to these newsrooms or sharing information about this matching opportunity. Local journalism survives when communities invest in it.

The NJ Civic Information Consortium is matching donations to eight NJ news organizations as part of NewsMatch 2025

12/02/2025

Daily News Roundup: Dec. 2, 2025

A bill to strip the NJ comptroller's powers advances after a chaotic vote, and Lt. Gov.-elect Caldwell is named the next secretary of state.

Alt text: Decoration only.

https://mailchi.mp/njnewscommons/daily-news-roundup-date-883050

12/01/2025

Daily News Roundup: Dec. 1, 2025

A federal appeals court disqualifies Alina Habba as NJ prosecutor, a watchdog warns a new bill would let corruption thrive, and a Campbell's exec is fired over alleged racist comments and claims of 3D-printed chicken.

Alt text: Decoration only.

https://mailchi.mp/njnewscommons/daily-news-roundup-date-883047

11/26/2025

Local news publishers in New Jersey can learn about a proposed digital advertising network that would return 80% of revenue to participating outlets—well above the industry standard of 66-70%.

An information session on December 9, 2025, led by Broadstreet CEO Kenny Katzgrau, will cover the network's structure, technical requirements, and timeline. The initiative has secured verbal financial backing from a regional bank and aims to create a more efficient and transparent model for local news organizations.

Publishers interested in exploring this collaborative advertising solution can join the session to help determine whether the project moves forward.

A regional bank has verbally committed financial backing for a new digital advertising network that would return 80% of proceeds to publishers.