Our guest is Rita McNeil Danish, the CEO of Signal Ohio. The discussion centers on the importance of civic engagement, the challenges facing local journalism, and the role of nonprofit news organizations in revitalizing community involvement.
The episode highlights the increased trust in media and news, leading to more civic engagement. The presence of media representatives in political meetings is a positive influence on the behavior of politicians. However, the lack of an educated electorate and the complexity of understanding government and journalism pose challenges. Signal Ohio has a focus on involving and educating young people in journalism and media through internships and fellowships.
Signal Ohio differentiates itself by targeting underserved communities and generating an ecosystem of good news and information without a paywall. The organization is also developing partnerships with TV and radio stations to share stories and reach diverse audiences. Rita McNeil Danish explains that Signal Ohio provides explainers for issues instead of dictating opinions. This is proving to be successful in increasing readership. The newsrooms are currently focusing on local issues, with plans to develop a statehouse newsroom in the future.
The team internally decides which stories to cover
The team focuses on major election issues, gerrymandering, local ballot issues, and judicial races to help voters make informed decisions. The episode also addresses concerns about the politicization of judges and school board members. This in turn whicmay lead to polarization and shift the focus away from the actual issues or qualifications of candidates. Other important topics include exploring and providing information regarding the use of public funds and the need for them in upcoming levies.
We discuss the impact of news on civic engagement and the discouragement it may cause, leading people to disengage from solutions. However, Carol also expresses pride in seeing younger relatives and their friends engaging in discussions and voting, showing that it is possible to involve youth in civic matters.
The background and mission of Signal Ohio
Rita McNeil Danish sheds light on the background and mission of Signal Ohio, which aims to address news deserts and deliver news in ways that people will receive it. The organization emphasizes the importance of engaging with urban and rural communities using various mediums such as websites, public forums, and SMS news delivery. Signal Ohio has launched Signal Cleveland and is set to launch Signal Akron, with plans for further expansion.
The episode also explores the work being done in Akron and Summit County, focusing on capturing the inner core of the city and expanding into the inner and outer rings in Cuyahoga County. Signal Ohio uses various mediums such as video, podcasts, its website, and social media to reach different audiences and tell stories in a specific way. The organization uses multiple platforms including LinkedIn, word-of-mouth, documenters, public forums, videos, Instagram, Facebook, and tweets to raise awareness.
How is Signal Ohio seeking funds?
Rita shares insights on sustainability and the need to raise funds for at least 2-3 years, involving philanthropic entities and major givers. The recruitment of journalists for the newsroom is not extremely challenging due to the market, the need for diverse skill sets, flexibility, and a fast-paced environment. After the initial 3 years of funding, the organization aims to diversify revenue streams to achieve sustainability.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of community support, membership, and diversified revenue streams, highlighting the broader impact of nonprofit news beyond journalism, focusing on community and civic engagement. Rita McNeil Danish shares words of wisdom, emphasizing the need to be part of the solution, take control of one’s life and country, and contribute to making a difference.
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2024 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
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