Impact Report

The California Local News Fellowship, hosted by UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, represents a transformative state-funded initiative dedicated to revitalizing local journalism across California. Spearheaded by California Senator Steve Glazer, this initiative not only equips emerging journalists with essential skills and bolsters local news outlets; it also strengthens public trust in the media by prioritizing accountability and transparency in its use of government funds, reinforcing the role of local journalism as a public good.

Launched in 2023, the state-funded California Local News Fellowship aims to foster informed and engaged communities across the state. To assess the program’s impact, an independent firm, Impact Architects, has been tasked with conducting multi-year external evaluation to promote public transparency and assess the Fellowship’s overall impact. The first of these comprehensive surveys establishes a baseline to measure the program’s influence on newsrooms and fellows, with a central focus on the communities they serve. Presented below are initial findings, newsroom case studies, and key insights drawn from fellows’ and newsroom partners’ experiences.

 

Year One – 2023

 

Program Launch, First Evaluation

The desired impact of the program overall is to create a more informed community that has greater trust in journalism as well as build civic participation and a stronger democracy. While also modeling a dynamic framework for supporting local journalism. This state-funded fellowship model is already being replicated in Washington State and New Mexico. We intend to continue to share our model and takeaways to inform similar fellowships in more states.

In December 2023 Impact Architects developed surveys to be distributed to California Local News Fellowship fellows and host newsrooms. The purpose was to gain a baseline understanding of the goals and expectations for both populations, with an emphasis on the desired short-term outcomes and long-term impact of the fellowship regarding fellows and their career trajectories, newsroom sustainability, and community impact.

The questions were developed in consultation with the California Local News Fellowship program team and designed to reflect the priorities identified in the program’s theory of change. This and subsequent surveys will be used to understand progress toward the program’s major goals over the life of the fellowship and to identify where the program can adapt, if needed. 

Key takeaways from the baseline survey (2023):

• 88% of newsroom partners hope fellows expand their reach to new communities 
• 59% of newsrooms will establish a new beat, fulfilling a community need
• 92% of fellows stated that their primary motivations for joining the Fellowship are to grow as journalists and to provide news to historically underserved communities
• 82% of fellows stated that their primary contribution is to establish or strengthen trust between their organization and the communities it covers

 

 

 

Read the full evaluation here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Two – 2024

 

The Fellowship is expanding! The fellows are now reporting on local news, from Mendocino on the northern California coast to the Inland Empire in the south and dozens of communities in between. This second group of fellows joins the first cohort of 39 fellows, who just finished year one of their two-year fellowship. In total, 76 California Local News Fellows are reporting across 37 California counties (18 new CA counties were added in 2024), making the program the largest local news fellowship program in the country.

 

 

 

Take A Closer Look – Interactive CA County Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To evaluate the Fellowship’s influence on local journalism, Impact Architects developed two in-depth case studies that showcase its profound impact on fellows, newsrooms and communities.

 

Case Studies

 

Newsroom Partner & Fellow Case Study: Fresnoland

This case study illustrates the impact of the California Local News Fellowship program through a specific case study, highlighting how fellows like Pablo Orihuela contribute to their communities. It showcases Orihuela’s reporting at Fresnoland on critical housing issues, and demonstrating how the fellowship program supports local journalism that informs and empowers underserved communities, ensuring they have reliable access to important news and information.

Key Takeaways from the Fresnoland Case Study:

• Community-Centered Reporting: Orihuela’s in-depth coverage of La Hacienda Mobile Home Park illustrates the power of local journalism to amplify marginalized voices and address critical community issues, such as housing insecurity.
• Government Accountability: His reporting contributed to significant policy and legal actions, including Fresno’s decision to allocate $3.5 million to prevent the park’s closure and support vulnerable residents.
• Broader Impact on Housing Policy: This story has implications for mobile home parks across California, influencing debates on landlord responsibilities and tenant protections in low-income housing.

 

 

Newsroom Partners & Fellows Case Study: San Diego Media Outlets – Inewsource, KPBS, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

The San Diego case study demonstrates the California Local News Fellowship’s role in strengthening local journalism by addressing coverage gaps in underserved communities. It highlights how fellows, through investigative, public, and community media, deliver impactful reporting that builds trust and addresses critical community issues.

Key Insights from the San Diego Case Study:

• Targeted Coverage for Underserved Communities: The study underscores the importance of increasing news coverage in areas like Imperial County and San Diego’s South Bay, where local issues often go underreported. Fellows focus on specific beats, such as homelessness and environmental justice, ensuring that these communities are represented in the media.
• Relationship and Trust Building: Fellows prioritize engaging with the communities they cover by being physically present, attending local events, and forming connections on the community’s terms. This approach fosters trust and allows for more nuanced storytelling.
• Impactful, Solutions-Oriented Journalism: The fellows’ reporting often leads to tangible outcomes, such as policy changes or increased public awareness. Examples include elevating issues like housing insecurity and environmental concerns, which can prompt governmental or institutional responses.
• Sustainability through Community-Centered Reporting: Instead of focusing solely on increasing story output, the case study highlights the value of producing journalism grounded in community needs and experiences. This strategy not only enhances the relevance of local news but also ensures its long-term impact and sustainability​.