Welcome to the Listening Post Collective

About Us

The Listening Post Collective, a project of Internews, brings global expertise and strategies to meet community information needs in the U.S. Our Collective comprises former journalists, business leaders, humanitarian activists, grassroots organizers, and public policy analysts, all dedicated to empowering communities through reliable and impactful information.

Our News Information Crisis

  • The historic and expanding news deserts diminish civic engagement and challenges information integrity.
  • Even in areas with strong traditional news ecosystems, which are not considered ‘news deserts,’ entire communities still lack equitable access to information.
  • Legacy journalism often misrepresents or completely ignores the stories of BIPOC and immigrant communities. 
  • Equity-minded media leaders need stronger support, mentorship, and platforms to amplify their voices and ensure diverse perspectives are valued in the media landscape.

This is why our Collective includes financial backing, training opportunities, and networks that foster collaboration and innovation. 

What We Do

We partner with individuals and organizations to create local news solutions that empower communities. Building equity in media requires trust, collaboration, and time. Through listening, networking, and understanding information needs, we develop community-driven solutions that foster impactful, sustainable civic media projects.

Our Vision

At the Listening Post Collective, we envision a world where everyone lives not in a news desert but in an information garden, where everyone has access to high-quality, culturally-relevant, civic information in accessible languages and on issues that impact them.

We see a future where civic power is strengthened by equitable, civic media.

We’re uniquely situated to take on this work.

We draw on 40 years of global experience building healthy media and information environments, especially in vulnerable communities.

 

Our Impact

Information Ecosystem Assessments

Total $ Microgrants Distributed since 2017

Playbook Collective Members

Testimonials

The Listening Post Collective at Internews really understands the importance of supporting strong and resilient communities through information access, community engagement, and by supporting the growth of a strong civic infrastructure. Listening Post Collective is not extractive in their approach, but instead focuses on supporting local organizations and community leaders to serve as a critical news source for their communities, in particular for residents who don’t often see themselves reflected in mainstream journalism.

– Nicole Pritchard, James Irvine Foundation, LPC Funder

LPC’s support has been much more than financial. At LPC I found a family that supports me, believes in me, and encourages me to challenge my own complexes. I am very fortunate and have received support and advice from many institutions, in one way or another, but I feel that I can ALWAYS count on LPC for anything. I do really think that LPC has my back.

– Maritza L. Félix, Founder of Conecta Arizona, LPC Partner

Listen to your community before you worry about tax status

Listen to your community before you worry about tax status

Picture of LPC Micro-grantees Santa Cruz Local accepting their LION Award

The future of news is independently-owned journalism startups who identify as community-centered businesses. Not as catchy a headline as the more commonly referenced “the future of news is nonprofit.” But the nuance matters.

The Challenge of Creating Equitable Local News

The Challenge of Creating Equitable Local News

Picture of Andrea Wenzell with her book “Anti-Racist Journalism: The Challenge of Creating Equitable Local News”

The Listening Post Collective recently caught up with Andrea Wenzel, the author of the new book, Antiracist Journalism: The Challenge of Creating Equitable Local News. Wenzel explores how to identify and deal with structural racism in US newsrooms.

“Divest from the ‘news desert’ framework — grow information gardens”

“Divest from the ‘news desert’ framework — grow information gardens”

Picture of Anthony Victoria at Media Literacy Workshop in Inland Empire

How to divest from the “news desert” framework by listening to and supporting locally-grown civic media makers and projects to help them thrive long-term.

2023 Reflections from the Collective

Picture of Sergio Cortes from LPC Partnership Program and outlet uSpark 

It wouldn’t be the end of year without sharing some highlights and headlines. In this newsletter we’ve got some end of year reflections from places as diverse as Kyiv and Trenton, New Jersey. We asked them to share something meaningful from their civic media work this year.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Listening Post Collective Partners meet with LPC Senior Business Strategist Silvia Rivera at a conference in Austin, Tx

This month we say goodbye to an amazing colleague and friend, Silvia Rivera, who has transformed our work over the past 3+ years. We’re so luck to have worked with such a thoughtful, mission driven, and incredibly fun person. Here are Silvia’s parting words of wisdom on the LPC stage

Creating Trust and Engagement in Trenton’s Black Community

One of our newest Listening Post Collective members, reporter Kenny Miles, has been deep in the weeds of listening to his Trenton, New Jersey community as he tries to meet growing local information needs. Despite wearing ALL the hats at his civic media outlet Trenton Journal, Kenny took the time to share some insights he’s learned while building a news conversation with his community. Take it away Kenny…

Mapping Info Needs in Tribal Communities

As part of a 2011 information ecosystem assessment of tribal areas, we spent some time learning and most importantly listening to how White Earth and Pine Ridge residents are developing culturally relevant information channels to keep residents up on all the news they need to know.

Engaging and Emerging Civic Media

The Listening Post Collective co-sponsored the recent Engaging Emergence civic media conference in Philadelphia. Seven LPC partners and a host of collaborators joined more than a 100 other journalism practitioners, innovators, and educators dedicated to centering community in media. 

Chilling and Listening

Mariah Castañeda is the Co-founder and Audience Director for the civic media outlet Los Angeles Public Press. As a new community led shop, they wanted to make sure they started building their news strategy by getting peoples input. Mariah graciously shared some tips on how to build listening into a media startup.

News & Insights

A Call  For a Civic Media Renaissance – It’s About Damn Time

August 8, 2022

Our vision is to work with partners throughout the country to incentivize the launch of new civic media projects that will inspire communities to build the power needed to strengthen our democracy.

Thank You to Our Funders and Collaborators