Local Media Must Reclaim the Religion Beat

In the past few months, journalism funders have announced ambitious initiatives to address the local media crisis as the country has lost almost 2,900 newspapers, and residents in more than half of U.S. counties have no, or very limited, access to any reliable local news. Without local news, residents are more likely to be misinformed and less likely to vote. But while funders consider many worthy local journalism projects — expanded coverage of town councils, boards of education, state legislatures, and BIPOC communities — it’s time to add religion to the list.