Over two days in April 2023, leaders in journalism, academia, public policy, business, and the humanities offered diverse perspectives on how to sustain robust local journalism.
This summit marks the official launch of an ongoing partnership between Virginia Humanities and the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy to highlight challenges facing local media and support solutions to connect Americans with informative, independent journalism.
- View the full schedule (pdf)
- Read the Local Journalism Whitepaper
Photos
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Charles A. Lewis (In My Humble Opinion), Tracie Powell (The Pivot Fund), and Angilee Shah (Charlottesville Tomorrow) pictured at the Virginia Local News Summit at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on 4/20/23. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Valerie Popp, director of strategic initiatives at the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities. -
Melody C. Barnes, executive director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Media Consultant Giles Morris (Charlottesville Tomorrow). Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Charles A. Lewis (In My Humble Opinion), Jacqui Salmon, Angilee Shah (Charlottesville Tomorrow), and Giles Morris (Charlottesville Tomorrow). Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Penny Muse Abernathy, visiting professor at Northwestern University. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities. -
Margaret Talev, director of Syracuse University’s Democracy, Journalism & Citizenship Institute. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Sylvester A. Johnson, Virginia Humanities board member and director and associate vice provost for public interest technology at Virginia Tech’s Center for Humanities. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Evan Smith, Distinguished Fellow in Journalism at the Karsh Institute of Democracy and Virginia Humanities. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Allison Taylor Levine, president & founder of the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities -
Attendees pictured at the Virginia Local News Summit at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on 4/20/23. Photo by Nina Wilder, Virginia Humanities
Opening Conversation
Giles Morris, an independent media consultant based in Charlottesville, Virginia and the former Executive Director of Charlottesville Tomorrow, talks with Melody C. Barnes, executive director of Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia, during the opening session of the Virginia Local News Summit on April 20, 2023.
Keynote: Democracy, Journalism, and the Engaged Citizen
A strong, vibrant media landscape is critical for democratic health. Veteran political journalist Margaret Talev, the newly announced director of Syracuse University’s Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship Institute, discusses the vital role that journalism plays in fostering an engaged, informed citizenry and explores the current problems—and signs of hope—facing both journalism and democracy in America. This discussion will be moderated by Rishi Jaitly, Professor of Practice and Distinguished Humanities Fellow, Virginia Tech.
Keynote: The Future of Local Journalism
Media pioneer Evan Smith, co-founder of the award-winning Texas Tribune, discusses the challenges facing local media today and solutions that can connect Americans with informative, independent journalism. This discussion will be moderated by Jayme Swain, president & CEO of Virginia Public Media.
