Spotlight on local news and its role in a healthy democracy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of local, state and federal elections on the line in 2024, finding solutions to the local news crisis has never been more imperative. That's why the fifth annual National News Literacy Week (Jan. 22–26) will highlight the vital role of local news in keeping communities informed and connected.

National News Literacy Week raises awareness of news literacy as an essential life skill and provides the public, educators, students and parents with easy-to-adopt tools and tips for navigating our information landscape. The week is co-presented by the News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that teaches people how to tell fact from fiction in the news and information they consume, and The E.W. Scripps Company, a diversified media company and one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters.

A public service announcement campaign that will air in video, print and digital formats will empower media consumers to be discerning about the information they share online and to consider how their actions impact public trust and connection to their communities. Shareable graphics with news literacy tips will be available to the public on NewsLiteracyWeek.org. The media and public can support and follow the conversation using #NewsLiteracyWeek.

The week also will showcase free events for the public featuring innovative leaders who are spearheading solutions to the local news crisis as well as special sessions for educators and students, including a virtual conversation with the Washington Post's TikTok team and a skills-building webinar. For more details and to learn how to get involved, visit NewsLiteracyWeek.org.

For everyone

Monday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. ET

Extra, Extra: How to solve the local news crisis

Register here.

An in-person and livestreamed discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., with:

Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project.
Margaret Sullivan, author of Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy.
Steven Waldman, founder and president of Rebuild Local News.
Kimi Yoshino, editor in chief of The Baltimore Banner.
Tracie Potts, executive director of the Eisenhower Institute, and the event moderator.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m. ET

How student journalists are filling the gap in local news

Register here.

A student-led, virtual panel discussion about how young people ensure their audiences have access to relevant and high-quality journalism. Featuring:

Sara Maloney, managing editor of The Eudora Times.
Ashlyn Myers, reporter for TheStateHouseFile.com.
Harsidak Singh of The Arlington Amp podcast.
Darragh Worland, host of the News Literacy Project's "Is that a fact?" podcast, and the event moderator.

Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. ET

How to find local news you can trust

Register here.

A virtual webinar for anyone interested in learning how to determine whether local sources of news are credible. Featuring:

DeMario Phipps-Smith of the News Literacy Project.

For educators and students

Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. ET

Behind the scenes with the Washington Post TikTok team

Register here.

A national Newsroom to Classroom event featuring a live, virtual conversation with the Washington Post TikTok team about news and social media. Featuring:

Dave Jorgenson, senior video reporter at the Washington Post
Carmella Boykin, associate producer at the Washington Post

Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

National NewsLitCamp^®️: the importance of local news, in partnership with The E.W. Scripps Company

Register here.

A free, virtual and immersive professional learning event developed exclusively for educators that will feature experts from the News Literacy Project and Scripps journalists.

For newsrooms

To attend or report on an event, contact media@newslit.org. Other ways that newsrooms can get involved include:

Run the public service announcement, available in English and Spanish.
Donate ad space. Let us know if you're able to help spread the word, and NLP will provide ready-made ads and recognize your organization on our website.
Join the conversation online by highlighting National News Literacy Week on your social channels. Tag us and use the hashtag #NewsLiteracyWeek.

About the News Literacy Project

The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy.

About The E.W. Scripps Company

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ:SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff, ION Mystery, Defy TV and TrueReal. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way." 

CONTACT

Christina Veiga

Senior Director, Media Relations

cveiga@newslit.org

media@newslit.org

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company