Local Journalism Initiative
In some parts of Canada, residents do not have access to journalistic information about community issues and institutions through local newspapers, community radio, television or other news media. These gaps in coverage mean that citizens do not have necessary information about news, issues and events that affect them and their day-to-day lives.
The Local Journalism Initiative aims to change that.

About the Local Journalism Initiative

Strengthening local coverage of civic matters in underserved communities

Inspired by successful international programs such as Report for America and the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) will provide funding to Canadian media organizations to hire reporters to cover underserved communities or news deserts across Canada.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadians everywhere continue to have access to accurate, diverse and relevant news. In order for that to happen, we have to continue to have an active, professional, reliable and independent press. Today, we are reaching another milestone toward the implementation of these measures that aim to support Canadian journalism and journalism in underserved communities.”

—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

Working for local news media, LJI reporters will report from courthouses, city halls, band councils, school boards, Parliament, provincial legislatures, and more. LJI content will be made available to accredited media organizations for editorial use.

In December 2019, the inaugural call for applications resulted in the approval of 105 journalists in 95 host newsrooms across Canada. (Click here for the complete list.)

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This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. | Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
Government of Canada