According to a recent study conducted by Northwestern University, more than half of US counties lack access to local news or have very limited access to it. This staggering statistic underscores the critical need for reliable and independent news sources, especially at the local level. In an era where misinformation runs rampant and trust in media institutions is eroding, communities are devoid of the vital information they need to stay informed and engaged. The Record Community News Group — which publishes The Record North Shore that currently serves six communities in the northern suburbs of Chicago — is a shining example of how nonprofit, independent newsroom can help bridge the information gap and provide trustworthy reporting that all communities deserve.
My journey in journalism began with high hopes and a passion for truth-seeking and I’m proud of my time at nationally recognized outlets like NBC News and The Washington Post in roles building technology to better support the distribution and collaboration needed to deliver reporting across platforms such a broadcast, cable and digital sites. However, as I climbed the ranks, I became disillusioned by the lack of intention for authentic connection with audiences and the inherent compromises that come with chasing metrics like ratings or clicks to drive revenue.
Feeling increasingly disheartened by the state of affairs, I began to explore alternative models where journalistic integrity remained uncompromised. It was during this search that I stumbled upon the Kickstarter from The Record Community News Group, a nonprofit news organization committed to serving its community with impartial reporting.
The Record North Shore was founded during the initial wave of the COVID pandemic by three editors, Joe Coughlin, Martin Carlino and Megan Bernard, who had worked at 22nd Century Media. All three of these editors had deep relationships with the communities they covered and were committed to bringing news back to the area. When they had the innovative idea to found a 501c3 nonprofit newsroom, they were not alone. According to the Institute for Nonprofit News, since 2017, more than 135 nonprofit news outlets have launched, roughly double the number of startups that launched in the previous five-year period.
What sets The Record North Shore and other nonprofit newsrooms apart from their for-profit counterparts is the unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics and independence from corporate influence. As a nonprofit entity, The Record North Shore relies on donations and community support rather than advertising revenue, freeing it from the pressures to prioritize profit margins over journalistic integrity.
In an era where trust in media institutions is at an all-time low, The Record North Shore stands as a model of transparency and accountability. Its reporters are driven not by the pursuit of ratings or the demands of shareholders, but by a genuine desire to inform and empower their community.
As reader and community member Amanda Alpert Knight recently stated, “The Record stands out for its personalized and reflective approach to covering events and stories in our community. The Record prioritizes listening and is dedicated to collaborating with the community. The Record is truly the most valuable media outlet in our community.” When Amanda needed to raise awareness for her very personal story about fundraising to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, she wanted her story told in The Record.
Supporting The Record North Shore means supporting journalism that prioritizes truth over sensationalism, accountability over corporate interests, and the public good over profit margins. It means investing in a future where independent newsrooms can thrive.
In making the decision to leave national media behind and throw my support behind The Record North Shore, I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose in my work.
If you, like me, believe in the importance of independent journalism and the vital role it plays in a democratic society, I urge you to join me in supporting The Record North Shore. Together, we can ensure that trustworthy, independent journalism continues to thrive in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
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How To Help:
If what you’ve just read resonates with you, and you too want to support a future with independent, trustworthy, local journalism, consider donating to their organization. Visit The Record North Shore online for more details and other ways to support what they do.
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Ryan Osborn has worked in media and journalism for almost 20 years. He was a producer at the TODAY show and the First Director of Social Media at NBC News. He was also a part of the team behind Arc XP at The Washington Post. He now serves as Director of Development at The Record Community News Group and lives in Chicago suburbs with his wife and three children.
