Western Iowa Journalism Foundation: Community Journalism Matters

Family or independently owned newspapers don’t just deliver local news, they shine a spotlight on the rural communities they cover.

They ensure faces are seen - and, most importantly - voices are heard.

Without them, what will people learn about your hometown? Who will write about your school’s budgetary needs? How will city officials be held accountable? Will anyone interview candidates for public office to understand their views? And who will step up to promote your local veterans’ organizations fundraising events?

Residents of Western Iowa deserve professional community journalism that fosters a healthy democracy by holding government officials responsible for actions, reporting vital information on local issues, and providing a fair forum for debate. Therefore, the Western Iowa Journalism Foundation was formed to ensure the continuity of a free press in this economically beleaguered and sparsely populated region of the nation.

While our goal is to serve all Western Iowa, our initial focus will center on supporting family or independently owned newspapers in Carroll, Greene, Crawford and Buena Vista counties.

As our fundraising expands, so will our reach to support community journalism in additional Western Iowa counties.