The Rapidian is an online platform for citizen journalism, where community members can share positive stories about their neighborhoods and post calendar listings of events in Western Michigan. The Rapidian aims to fill the void in a local “news desert” that lacks daily newspaper. A collaboration between Grand Rapids Television (GRTV), WCYE-FM and The Wealthy Theater, The Rapidian offers media literacy and community journalism training to individuals and nonprofits, in order to foster local pride and civic engagement, and unify a diverse community.
Ahead of Illinois’ April 2019 municipal elections WILL worked with three high school classrooms and 80 adult community members to develop local candidate questionnaires that met the specific needs of municipalities in our listening area. IIllinois Public Media (IPM) partnered with community organizations on events that facilitated civil discourse, increased media literacy, democratized editorial decision-making, inspired civic action, and educated young Illinoisans. This “Democracy Series” was designed to demonstrate that public media is uniquely equipped to facilitate dialog about local concerns.
The “Only Here” podcast provides an intimate look at one of the world’s busiest border crossings, where San Diego and Tijuana meet. Over time, the podcast has attracted an audience on both sides of the border with stories about the culture and creativity forged in this tense region. Hosted by a member of a bilingual hip-hop band in Tijuana, the podcast deepens understanding and connection between listeners on both sides of the border.
Catalyst Radio is a weekly public affairs program produced by Grand Rapids (MI) Community Media Center. CMC’s Catalyst Radio features interviews with organizations and people working on social change, community support, and media issues. This effort is a partnership between The Rapidian, an online platform for community journalism and WYCE, an independent, community radio station in Grand Rapids.
“Eye on the Arts” is a half hour TV series that showcases a diverse range of local artists, artistic organizations, events and stories, demonstrating the power of arts in people’s lives. The series draws attention to regional artists and cultural programs across the entire Chicagoland area, including many of Northwest Indiana’s under-served populations, people who often feel that the arts are inaccessible. “Eye on the Arts” also retains a radio presence through weekly segments on Lakeshore Public Radio.
Modeled after NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and KLRU/PBS’s Austin City Limits, Small Studio showcases some of the best bands in Indianapolis, giving local and regional talent a chance to shine. National and regional artists have also performed in WFYI’s Small Studio, with an emphasis on bands and musicians with a connection to public media and/or the Hoosier state. The series is WFYI’s inaugural digital-first program.
WXXI’s “Classical 91.5 Presents” is an annual film series that exemplifies the power of music to enhance a story’s narrative. Each year Classical 91.5 presents a series of four films that are related to classical music in some way. Each film session includes film-related live music in The Little Theatre Café in Rochester and a lively panel discussion with WXXI hosts, as they explore the significance and unique use of music in each film.
In Tlingit, the Alaska Native language, the phrase “Wooch een yéi jidané” means “cooperation, working together.” Over the last three years, KTOO has used documentary film, conferences, radio, and engagement events, organized in cooperation with the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples of Southeast Alaska, to deepen a collective understanding of Native culture, values and traditions. KTOO broadcases a daily interview program entirely in Tlingit.
News Night Orlando, launched in April 2019, provides a once-a-week deep dive into complicated issues facing Central Florida. The show is hosted by an anchor/reporter at the local ABC affiliate. She and a WUCF producer pick the topics and the panel of reporters, who give viewers a sense of the real story behind the headlines they may see and hear about day after day. News Night Orlando enables WUCF to collaborate with news media across all platforms in the Central Florida market.
