Transforming Local Crime Reporting Into Public Safety Journalism

Transform your newsroom’s reporting on criminal justice and crime during Poynter‘s 24-week online seminar. Reimagine your newsroom’s work and impact, and craft a strategy that not only elevates your public safety reporting, but better serves your audience.

From March 19, 2024 – September 17, 2024, U.S. newsrooms joining this ongoing seminar will be introduced to a series of change management tools that will guide newsrooms as they transform their coverage, step by step. Every newsroom’s solution will be unique to the communities they serve.

U.S. newsrooms apply as a team of at least three and up to six journalists. Teams must include one front-line journalist and one manager with the ability to influence policy; they must also be able to meet weekly on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Eastern for 24 weeks, all virtual, March 19-Sept. 17.

Tuition for your entire team is just $1,000, thanks to the sponsorship of the MacArthur, Annie E. Casey, Just Trust and Craig Newmark foundations — a huge savings from the $10,000+ retail cost. Limited need-based scholarships are available.

Learning Outcomes: In this course you will…
Transform the way your newsroom thinks about crime and community.
Work with experts, use realistic case studies and get organization-specific homework.
Improve newsroom capacity to transform coverage from crime centered to community focused.
Go from a mentality of “if it bleeds it leads” to prioritizing public safety.
Learn to spot the episodic and transition to ongoing.
Pivot your coverage from superficial to deep.
Change your narrative from law enforcement to community.
Institute a new crime coverage policy in your newsroom.