Simon Kelner: Local papers are the lifeblood of communities

Newspaper vendor

A respected media analyst told a committee of MPs not long ago that up to half of the UK’s local papers could close by 2014. Journalism has a bad reputation at the moment, but we’ll miss it if it’s not there Read more »

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Lupembe village from the tea plantation

A good news man in Africa: The Journalism Foundation’s new project

In Britain, journalism’s reputation is at an all-time low. Elsewhere, it is still seen as a force for good. Simon Kelner reports from Tanzania on a project that has improved the quality of local life Read more »

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How to build a local website

At The Journalism Foundation we believe that democracy is served by free and independent journalism, and with this in mind we are supporting Pits n Pots, a website in Stoke-in-Trent which tackles political matters in the region, and we are pleased to present this, our free online toolkit for anyone who wants to start up their own local news network. This guide is full of practical advice from experienced journalists and academics, and is the perfect guide for those who feel inspired to make a difference to their local community via a digital platform. Go on. It’s all here for you to help yourself and serve the wider community Read more »

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WMF

Simon Kelner’s Westminster Media Forum speech in full

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning. It seems to me that we need to assess what has gone before in terms of self regulation of the press in order to consider what should happen in the future. Read more »

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TJF

The challenges we face after a year of living dangerously

The Journalism Foundation is only a month old, but already we are firmly on the radar for organisations and individuals who are seeking support Read more »

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Stack of newspapers

Find out more about The Journalism Foundation

The Journalism Foundation is an independent charitable foundation which promotes, develops and sustains free and independent journalism throughout the world. We believe that a free press is an essential instrument of a stable society, and the aim of The Journalism Foundation is to demonstrate how journalism can be a force for good by supporting projects which have a direct and positive effect on people’s lives. Read more »

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Tweed Daily News

The demise of local papers should be taken seriously

Two daily papers in towns in Australia have been closed down as part of a systematic closure of paid-for titles Down Under. The loss of a local paper may not have the day-to-day impact on a community of, say, the closure of a butcher’s shop or a hardware store, but the gap it leaves behind is a very serious one Read more »

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The McCanns at the Leveson Inquiry

A foundation for the future of journalism

With the Leveson Inquiry in full swing, the reputation of the press has never been lower. Yet the importance of holding to account those who wield power has never been greater. Enter The Journalism Foundation – a new organisation dedicated to promoting free and fair reporting around the world, writes Simon Kelner Read more »

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