ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meet 22 Journalism Students Joining the Instagram Local News Fellowship
The Instagram Local News Fellowship, a collaboration between the Facebook Journalism Project and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, kicks off today, pairing 22 fellows with 21 local newsrooms across the country. The fellows will serve as Instagram editors for 10 weeks this summer, working with the newsrooms to help advance their business goals, deepen the relationship with their audience, and expand their reach. In turn, newsroom leaders will mentor the fellows and share their journalistic expertise.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fellowship pivoted to a remote opportunity where fellows work from the safety of their homes while communicating with their newsroom mentors virtually. The Instagram and Facebook Local News Partnerships teams led a remote training last week to provide fellows with tools to innovate each newsroom’s Instagram strategy.
"This year, the value of local journalism has been on display. Hopefully this will be remembered as the year we understood and appreciated journalism more than ever before," says Randy Picht, executive director of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, which is located at the Missouri School of Journalism. “RJI knows all about the pressures in newsrooms to do more with less, especially on the digital side of the house. That is why we’re glad to support this program – a very direct way to help ease some of that pressure, move things forward and create new opportunities to do great journalism.”
BuzzFeed News is also partnering with the fellows to elevate local storytelling to a national level. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to shape our country and world, fellows will identify visually compelling stories – such as the impact on small businesses, community heroes, and the intersection of elections and the pandemic – that can be packaged for a broader and different audience on BuzzFeed News’ Instagram.
Fellows will work closely with the BuzzFeed News’ Engagement & Publishing team, led by Sara Yasin, to brainstorm ideas, workshop content, gather and source materials, and promote across local and national channels. They’ll also gain valuable insights into BuzzFeed’s robust engagement strategy, how the company utilizes Instagram for reporting and business purposes, and the inner-workings of a national newsroom.
“We’re thrilled to be Instagram’s national newsroom partner [for the fellowship program] because it’s never been more important to include younger, emerging voices in the mainstream conversation,” said Yasin. “I’m eager for BuzzFeed News’ global audience to engage with these local stories that add color to one of the most monumental news stories of our lifetimes.”
Meet the 22 fellows, who shared what they’re excited to learn, along with a few newsroom mentors on what they hope to teach the fellows.
Arin Jemerson at Amsterdam News, Harlem, NY
University of Missouri
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am most looking forward to learning new communication tools to benefit and promote local news, while also working with one of the oldest Black newspapers in the United States.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism because it is able to tell the stories of communities that may be overlooked or underrepresented.”
Olivia Wales at The Birmingham News, Birmingham, AL
Texas Christian University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m excited to work with AL.com this summer to help expand their Instagram following and find creative avenues to tell stories through features such as IGTV. I’m looking forward to developing strategies to connect with younger audiences and engage with the community.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local news because it is centered around community. Local journalists have a unique ability to capture what is important to their communities because they know them inside and out, and they are part of them. Therefore, the local news is so important in every community, and I’m looking forward to connecting with communities in Alabama this summer.”
Dylan Goetz at The Boston Globe, Boston, MA
Central Michigan University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am looking forward to trying creative content and engaging with new audiences.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism because it gives us the opportunity to look out for our community.”
The Boston Globe’s Newsroom Mentor:
Devin Smith, Senior Manager, Audience Engagement
What do you hope to teach your assigned fellows? “The Boston Globe is so excited to welcome you into the newsroom. It's a crazy, weird time in the world. But crazy, weird times are the most important times to be in the field of journalism. Let that empower instead of overwhelm you. I would advise our incoming fellows not to be shy. Go out of your way to meet--albeit virtually, as many reporters as you can. Reporters are naturally helpful, collaborative people and I get the pleasure of working with so many great ones on a daily basis.”
Orizo Hajigurban at The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC
Virginia Commonwealth University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m looking forward to reaching out to people, getting to know people, and learning more about the Charlotte Observer and Instagram as a whole.”
Why I love local journalism: “It gives me the chance to get to know the people in the community I work with better, help them find their voice and start a dialogue with them.”
Lauryn Haas at Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH
University of Kentucky
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am looking forward to working with my newsroom mentor and the rest of the newsroom as well as learning how to utilize all the features Instagram has to offer.”
Why I love local journalism: “It provides a platform to share stories from the community that wouldn’t get shared otherwise.”
Cincinnati Enquirer’s Newsroom Mentor:
Sallee Ann Harrison, Social Media Manager
What do you hope to teach your assigned fellow? “I hope to teach Lauryn the importance of understanding and valuing the local community when it comes to posting and engaging on social media. Our audience places a high value on local news that matters to them and affects their daily lives. It's up to us to deliver.”
Ajibola Bodunrin at Chicago Defender, Detroit, MI
University of Pennsylvania
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I think it will be an amazing opportunity for me to learn how to harness social media as a tool to create positive change and to spread useful information.”
Why I love local journalism: “Unlike any other form of media, local news helps people participate and connect with the things that are happening in their communities. It helps community members actually have a real stake in what's going on around them. I don't think community building is possible without understanding what's happening around you.”
Juliana Tornabene at The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL
University of Missouri-Columbia
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am most looking forward to learning about audience engagement during this program and how it applies to Instagram. Since I will be working with all of Tribune Publishing’s papers, I want to be able to determine best practices for each individual outlet since they have different audiences, and Instagram posts will react differently in different markets.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism organizations because they can tell stories more personally than national media outlets, because they truly understand their community. Local newsrooms are loyal to the communities they serve and do their best to be watchdogs for them.”
Fatoumata Ceesay at The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am most looking forward to connecting with and learning from my team, as well as producing content for the Chicago Tribune.”
Why I love local journalism: “I believe it is community-oriented and focuses on stories that affect that community. I believe it provides a much-needed presence for people in a deeper, more connected way.”
The Chicago Tribune’s Newsroom Mentor:
Michelle Lopez, Editorial Operations, Tribune Publishing
My one piece of advice to journalism students: “Don’t give up, and stick with journalism! More than ever, we need this generation of younger journalists to fill newsrooms with a variety of perspectives and voices to truly reflect the communities we serve. There is lots of noise out there about the current state and future of news media. If you love this now, stick with it. There is no other field quite like it. You won’t regret it.”
Leanna Faulk at Columbia Missourian, Columbia, MO
American University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m really looking forward to working with my fellow news editors and photojournalists to create interesting content and spread it to as many people as possible. I’m excited to push the boundaries of storytelling and transform the Columbian Missourian’s Instagram into a modern-day source of news information.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism for its ability to deliver original and well-packaged news information that isn’t typically found elsewhere. Whether it be social equity, the criminal justice system, the arts or a global health crisis, local journalists have an extensive history of advocating for society’s most marginalized communities. As an intern for some of the largest media companies in the world, I’ve seen firsthand how local journalism informs big media who often lack in their statewide coverage. Local journalism is the backbone of our democracy and provides a very unique opportunity for rising journalists like myself to better represent our communities and the stories that create them."
Columbia Missourian’s Newsroom Mentor:
Elizabeth Stephens, Managing Editor for Digital and Director of Community Outreach
What do you hope to teach the fellow assigned to your newsroom? “One of the most fun parts of this gig is getting to try new things. Sometimes you’ll find an unexpected success and sometimes it will be an epic failure. But in either case, there will be lessons learned and opportunities to try again.”
Heather Kim at The Denver Post, Denver, CO
University of Maryland, College Park
Why I'm excited to join the program: “What I'm most looking forward to about this program is working with some talented visual journalists at the Post, working with amazing fellows from around the country, and getting to learn more about the local Denver community and what makes it unique.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism because it offers a closer, more intimate look at how national issues are directly impacting communities on the ground. Local journalism is so valuable and important because it has the power to highlight stories that are often overlooked or ignored.”
Sadie Layher at Detroit Free Press, Detroit, MI
Michigan State University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m most excited about how much I’m going to be learning on a daily basis.”
Why I love local journalism: “Local journalism is important to me because of how integral it is for local businesses and members of the community.”
Detroit Free Press’ Newsroom Mentor:
Brian Manzullo, Social, Search & Audience Editor
My one piece of advice to journalism students: “I encourage all aspiring journalists to use this time to experiment – and never be afraid to try new things to inform your communities. Journalism is in a forever state of disruption right now and it’s up to you to help guide us forward. No pressure!”
Estefania Mitre at El Diario New York, Brooklyn, NY
University of Texas at El Paso
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m most excited to have the opportunity to work in a newsroom in my native language. As a Latina, I recognize the importance of having Spanish-language news outlets, having a proper Latino representation in the United States.”
Why I love local journalism: “What I love about local journalism is that local newsrooms work like pieces of a puzzle – you need to have every single piece in order to see the whole picture. If you want to address issues that concern our nation, you need to understand what’s happening at a local level.”
El Diario New York’s Newsroom Mentor:
Rafael Cores, VP, Digital Content
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “Never stop being curious. Try to understand how and why the world around you works. The better you understand it, the better you will be able to communicate it to your audience.”
Alexis Angelini at KQED, San Francisco, CA
University of Connecticut
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m really looking forward to the program as a whole but I am really looking forward to fostering the connections I’m going to make. Not only with KQED, Facebook and Instagram, but my program directors as well as the other fellows.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local news because it really fosters community. Whether it’s a buzzer-beater winning shot at a local basketball game, a cute child on Halloween, or community members really rallying around someone to help them when they've been through a crisis or even an illness.”
Sam Forbes at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI
University of Missouri
Why I'm excited to join the program: “As an Instagram fellow, I’m excited to expand coverage of underrepresented communities in Milwaukee, specifically focusing on Spanish-language content.”
Why I love local journalism: “I love local journalism because it adds valuable context to stories, allowing readers to truly connect with and learn about their community.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Newsroom Mentor:
Lainey Seyler, Social/Trending Editor
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “Try a lot of things with the goal of finding out what you love and what singular perspective you bring to the table.”
Anna Ta at Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minneapolis MN
Rice University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade. I’m also really excited to find creative ways to engage new audiences and increase the reach of the Tribune while getting to work with a talented newsroom and staff.”
Why I love local journalism: “Journalism is all about telling stories to the communities they matter to, and local journalists have a unique opportunity to really understand the issues at the heart of a community.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Newsroom Mentor:
Alexis Allston, Audience Engagement Producer
What do you hope to teach the fellow assigned to your newsroom? “I would say that one of the most important — if not the most important — parts of journalism is listening to your readers. I hope to introduce our fellow to some of the ways we stay connected with our audience, like through our Curious Minnesota story series.”
Emily Linderman at Mundo Hispánico, Atlanta, GA
Lehigh University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I'm looking forward to learning new strategies for social media. I'm also excited to learn about the Hispanic community I'll be covering.”
Why I love local journalism: “It informs people about the communities they live in and tells their stories. Local newspapers are vital because they cover stories that national sources might skip, but that doesn't mean that these stories are not important.”
Erin Gavle at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA
Syracuse University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I'm really looking forward to picking up on the creativity that different newsrooms across the country are putting into their social media and into their remote and digital reporting. It's such a strange time to be in journalism, but the work is essential and people are becoming really innovative.”
Why I love local journalism: “Local news offers the chance to build a more personal relationship with your audience. People tell newsrooms what they like and what they don't, and either way it pushes your reporting to be better and more authentic to what your community needs. I'm looking forward to sharing stories that really resonate with the Philly community.”
Danya Gil at The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, UT
Weber State University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I am looking forward to learning new skills from amazing mentors and leaders within the industry. Additionally, I am excited to build relationships with other fellows and newsrooms across the country.”
Why I love local journalism: “Local journalism is the heartbeat of a community. Local journalism seeks to uncover truths and tell the stories of the everyday citizen. The attention to detail and the care given to these stories has made me want to be better and continue to tell the stories of those who are underreported, underrepresented and underrecognized.”
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Newsroom Mentor:
Amy Maestas, Digital Editor
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “Diversify your skillset. Learn as many parts of the business as you can, even if some of those skills are not part of your everyday job or in your formal job duties. Find a mentor(s) who work in different jobs and learn about how what they do affects what you do.”
Juaquín Robles at St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis, MO
New York University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I'm a New York University student born in Texas and raised in Missouri, which is why I'm excited to create content that reaches younger audiences.”
Why I love local journalism: “St. Louis is a diverse city, and I love the role local journalism plays in bridging the gaps between cultures and generations.”
St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Newsroom Mentor:
Beth O’Malley, Reader Engagement Editor
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “Learn a diverse skill set, so you can handle audio/video/writing/social or whatever else life throws at you, and keep learning and adapting after you graduate.”
Carly Thompson at Tampa Bay Times, Tampa, FL
Emerson College
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m most looking forward to getting to know the newsroom of local journalists at the Tampa Bay Times and learning about how they utilize Instagram. I’m also looking forward to being able to compare my experience on Instagram as an individual with the experience of building a following on Instagram for a publication. I can’t wait to interact with readers in the comments!”
Why I love local journalism: “It connects people to their community. It gives them an opportunity to learn about what is happening around them in a way they can trust. It can delight, inform, entertain, and reveal. It can be about art, food, politics, and so much else. Local journalism always hits close to home.”
Tampa Bay Times’ Newsroom Mentor:
Ashley Dye, Engagement Producer
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “The journalism industry is in flux — as it should, if only with stability — so being someone who jumps to adapt, not lag, will serve you, and your communities, very well.”
Elie Levine at The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
Tufts University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m looking forward to using new skills and social strategies to improve the coverage and reach of The Times-Picayune, hopefully increasing the newsroom’s subscription base through new projects like Instagram newsletters. I'm generally excited to learn how social can help out a newspaper.”
Why I love local journalism: “It focuses on telling the stories no one else is telling, about the communities that need to be covered most.”
The Times-Picayune’s Newsroom Mentor:
Kyle Whitfield, Digital Director
What is your one piece of advice to journalism students? “Local news creates a more informed community and, especially in uncertain times like these, our mission to hold the power to account is more important now than ever. By promoting our journalism on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it helps maximize the reach of our work and influence readers to become financial supporters at a time when we need them the most.”
Diana Riojas at 100 Days in Appalachia, Morganstown, WV
Syracuse University
Why I'm excited to join the program: “I’m most excited about learning the different strategies I can implement to increase viewership on IGTV.”
Why I love local journalism: “It affects those in a community faster, and that can fuel social change. Often the most effective work happens at a small scale.”
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