Posts by Alena Feeney
At the national Bioneers Conference, Local News Leaders Highlight Efforts to Save and Enliven Local News
The crisis for local news with “news deserts” appearing across the national landscape as well as the hope for a new kind of local journalism were highlighted at the 35th Annual Bioneers Conference in Berkeley in late March with the panel “The Struggle to Save and Revivify Local Media.” California Local News Fellowship Director Christa…
Read MoreFellowship Releases Inaugural Report on Program Impact
The state-funded California Local News Fellowship launched in 2023 to foster informed and engaged communities throughout the state. The program, which places early career journalists in newsrooms for two year reporting fellowships, is designed to strengthen local news and help launch journalism careers. In order to measure the impact and growth of the program, an…
Read MoreIncarcerated journalist Steve Brooks selected as California Local News Fellow
Steve Brooks, former editor-in-chief of the award-winning San Quentin News, was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the California Local News Fellowship. The program is a state-funded initiative based at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism to strengthen local, public affairs reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. Brooks, currently…
Read MoreNeiman Lab Predictions For Journalism, 2024
Annually, Neiman Lab invites leaders in journalism to offer their forecasts for the upcoming year. Christa Scharfenberg, our Project Director, was invited to contribute, and the ensuing article encapsulates her insights. More Publicly-Funded Initiatives to Support Local News Local news outlets continue to fight for their lives nationwide: the State of Local News…
Read MoreSPJ NorCal honors Geeta Anand, Dean of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and California State Senator Steve Glazer with the Distinguished Service to Journalism Award
The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ NorCal) today announced it is honoring Geeta Anand, dean of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and California State Senator Steve Glazer with the Distinguished Service to Journalism Award. The annual award honors contributions to the advancement or advocacy of journalism in Northern…
Read MoreThe California Local News Fellowship prepares its inaugural cohort of fellows for their journey into newsrooms across the state
In early September, the California Local News Fellowship welcomed its 39 inaugural fellows to Berkeley Journalism to connect, learn, and prepare for their launch into local newsrooms across the state. Our goals for orientation week were twofold: to build community among the fellows and prepare them to enter the communities and newsrooms where they will…
Read MoreCalifornia Local News Fellowship Announces Its Inaugural 2023 Cohort
Berkeley, CA – Geeta Anand, dean of Berkeley Journalism, today announced the launch of the inaugural cohort of the California Local News Fellowship program, a path-breaking initiative funded by the people of California and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year. The program will support community news and information needs throughout California by…
Read MoreBerkeley Journalism Announces New Advisory Board Members for California Local News Fellowship Program
Berkeley Journalism announces four new members of the Advisory Board for its new California Local News Fellowship program. The multi-year, state-funded program will support and strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. The Advisory Board, which includes journalism education and newsroom leaders from across the state, will help shape the…
Read MoreBerkeley Journalism Announces Advisory Board for New California Local News Fellowship Program
Berkeley Journalism announces the Advisory Board for its new California Local News Fellowship program, a multi-year, state-funded program to support and strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.The initiative is believed to be the largest state allocation ever made in California and in the U.S. to support local journalism. It…
Read MoreState Funds Berkeley Journalism $25 Million to Strengthen California’s Local News Coverage
What is believed to be the largest state allocation ever made in California and in the U.S. to support local journalism, the new Berkeley fellowship program will award up to 40 fellows per year for at least three years with a $50,000 annual stipend to supplement their salaries while they work in California newsrooms covering…
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