Preserving and protecting journalism
The Microsoft journalism initiative works to help strengthen local news ecosystems, restore trust and confidence in news, and provides cyber and legal security for journalists.
Rebuilding reporting capacity is critical as over 35,000 newspaper reporter jobs have been lost since 2010.
We are helping newsrooms explore new hybrid business models, as their ad revenue has shrunk by $34 billion.
We must stem the rise of news deserts, as the number of US counties without a local newspaper is 200 and climbing.
Strengthening journalism in rural areas is crucial—70 percent of US counties without daily or weekly newspapers are rural.
Business model
In partnership with the community, we’re experimenting with new, hybrid operating models with the goal of providing valuable insight into sustainable solutions that can be deployed at scale across the world.
Trust
To rebuild trust, we’ll need a combination of tools and technologies to counter deep fakes and other disinformation online. Our aim is to promote an increased focus on digital media literacy education that provides the framework for finding, consuming and sharing trusted, fact-based news and information.
Security
Journalists around the world are increasingly subject to physical, cyber and legal attacks – especially reporters covering conflict, governmental abuses, and corruption. Technology like cloud computing and AI, AccountGuard, and a new pro bono legal support program designed specifically for journalists, can play an important role in monitoring their safety.
Rebuilding Local News, a pilot program
We are working together with area colleges and universities, leaders and organizations, and their wider communities to provide critical support to local newsrooms and help them tell stories in new ways. At the same time, we’re experimenting with new revenue streams and funding models.
Green Bay & Appleton, WI
This new news lab is a collaborative, solutions-focused effort to examine issues of importance to residents of northeast Wisconsin.
Community Foundation of the Fox Valley
Visit the foundation
Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
Visit the foundation
New News lab
The NEW News Lab is a collaborative, solutions-focused effort to examine issues of importance to residents of northeast Wisconsin.
Fox Valley 365 News
Visit the newsroom
Post Crescent Media | Appleton
Visit the newsroom
GB Press Gazette
Visit the newsroom
The Press Times
Visit the newsroom
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
Visit the university
Wisconsin Public Radio
Visit the newsroom
Wisconsin Watch
Visit the newsroom
Cost of living: Lack of affordable housing is crimping lives, economy
Read the GB Press Gazette story
“This is the long game.” Brown County Racial Equity Committee begins its two-year mission
Read the Madison 365 story
Democracy Forward
Institutions supporting democracy are increasingly under attack. Microsoft is looking at how our technology and resources can help to protect campaigns from hacking, increase political advertising transparency, defend against disinformation, ensure a healthy information ecosystem, and uphold fair and secure electoral processes in democratic countries.
Protecting Journalists Pro Bono Program
Partnering with DWT, RCFP and the Knight Foundation, we’re piloting the Protecting Journalists Pro Bono Program. It provides free legal support to journalists and small news organizations across three workstreams: pre-publication review, access to public records, and defending journalists against subpoenas.
Microsoft AccountGuard for Journalists
A security service offered at no additional cost to news organizations, providing notification of nation-state cyberattacks. Helping newsrooms and journalists protect themselves from cybersecurity threats on M365 emails and personal accounts. Includes access to cybersecurity training and new security features.
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about the Microsoft journalism initiative or any of the corresponding programs, including the local news pilot program for community foundations, newsrooms and higher educational institutions, please contact us using this form.
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