ND Mandan – The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) has launched the “Future of Local News Initiatives” to prevent further erosion of local news reports. The initiative seeks to understand the challenges facing newspapers and prevent the spread of news deserts and “ghost newspapers” in areas that lack local reports.
“We’ve been working hard to get the better of our customers,” said Ellen Harbor, RDFC Executive Director. “This initiative is consistent with the RDFC’s mission to support economic diversification and community vitality.”
RDFC staff will help the North Dakota Newspaper Association (NDNA) use their findings to guide industry transformation. The goal is to preserve local news sources and evolve the newspaper system to better meet the needs of our readers and our community.
Steering committees that guide research, provide insights
The steering committee will culminate in reports that identify issues facing newspaper businesses, shape research and recommendations, and outline strategies to enhance local news delivery.
Project research includes:
Newspaper Publishers’ research into business health, succession planning, ownership transition, coverage challenges and interest in resource sharing models
The future of the local News Initiative Steering Committee was first met in Mandan on February 27th. The committee will hold several meetings this year before finalizing its recommendations in the fall.
The committee members are:
North Dakota Editor-in-Chief Amy Dalrymple has retired. Dakota Indian Affairs Commissioner Aidan Pelton, student at Watford City High School, editor, North Dakota Living Shock, publisher, Dickinson Pressbury Chemaier, general manager, KFYR and West Dakota Fox TV Jackie Thompson, publisher, Wals County Records Officer, Decota Media Media Director, Public Leader, Decota Media Media Van Watate Department
RDFC manages projects made possible by the Bush Foundation Partnership Fund grant, which supports creative problem solving to strengthen North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
