Reimagining Journalism

Today, Ohio has 32 percent fewer newspapers than it did in 2004, making it harder for local readers to find out about their local city councilperson, what’s going on in their school district, or the latest updates on efforts to create change on the issues that most affect their lives.

Fortunately, new publications and partnerships have leapt into the breach in Northeast Ohio, aiming to fill the news desert with much-needed coverage. A few of those publications include A Greater Buckeye, The Buckeye Flame and The Cleveland Observer, as well as a new partnership effort titled the Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism Collaborative, which brings together 20+ newsrooms across Cleveland and Akron to address community issues through a solutions journalism lens.

A Greater Buckeye, created by Julian Khan in early 2020, focuses on covering positive news and relaying information needs in Buckeye, Shaker Square, Larchmere, and Woodland Hills. The Cleveland Observer, led by Ron Calhoun, has expanded from coverage beyond Asiatown, St Clair-Superior and Hough to include Glenville, East Cleveland, Central, Fairfax, Mount Pleasant and Lee-Harvard neighborhoods.

Launched in June 2020, The Buckeye Flame stands as Ohio’s only statewide LGBTQ+ news and views platform. Based in Cleveland but covering every corner of the state, the Flame, led by Ken Schneck, amplifies the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content.

As journalism and mainstream media continue to change, how are these startups faring? What opportunities and challenges are they facing?

Join us to hear from the leadership of these four efforts as they share their aspirations and contributions to Greater Cleveland's changing media landscape.

The livestream will be available beginning at 12 p.m. Have questions? Tweet them at @TheCityClub or send a text to 330.541.5794.