CISLM will grow a more equitable and sustainable future for local news, the journalists who make it and the communities that need it. Through the intersection of research, education and practice, we will redefine sustainability to mean more than revenue. We will cultivate, feed and support the human resources who will reinvent journalism.
Featured Project
HOW FOUR NEWS AUDIENCES USED CHATBOTS
To test how audiences want to use AI-powered chatbots, we partnered with four small local newsrooms to collaboratively build AI-powered chatbots tailored to their needs, creating the Local NewsBot Studio. By analyzing user behavior and chatbot engagement data, we explored how readers perceive AI tools and whether such interactions influence their information-seeking habits.
4 insights about news audiences from building AI chatbots for local newsrooms
From our Local NewsBot Studio report, local news audiences are open to engaging with AI, if it’s helpful, honest and relevant.
State and local legislative support for local news is on the rise — why?
While public policy initiatives to support local media aren’t new, they are rapidly changing — here’s an overview of where we are now and how we got here.
4 states introduce local news bills for the first time while others strengthen existing support
Local news legislation is growing: Since our last update, 38 news bills were introduced across 15 states, more than the total number of bills introduced in the previous two years combined.
Why we’re building chatbots with local newsrooms
Our newest research experiment is a model we’re proud of: A hands-on, newsroom-centered pilot combining product development with industry-focused research.
Five reasons people leave — or stay in — local journalism
CISLM Research Director Jessica Mahone wrote a piece on why people leave or stay in journalism for the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma.
How to build resilience for yourself and your news organization
How CISLM Director Erica Perel and Knoxville News Executive Editor Joel Christopher pivoted during times of challenges to build a more resilient organization.
Researchers reflect on pathways to support community info needs
The edition of the ANNALs journal featured a dream team of local news researchers, including CISLM’s Research Director Jessica Mahone, who came together to share how media policy is helping journalism.
New wins from UNC Table Stakes alumni organizations
The wins keep coming for news organizations that recently completed the UNC-Knight Foundation Table Stakes Initiative.