Media Contact:
Lindsey Loving
Manager, Communications
lindsey@newsmediaalliance.org
571.366.1009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
News Media Alliance Launches Campaign to Support Real News
Calls on Public to Subscribe to Local Newspapers, Support Journalists
March 29, 2017
Arlington, VA – The News Media Alliance today announced the launch of a national campaign focused on combatting the increasing prevalence of fake news. The campaign, Support Real News, shines a light on the harm to the public caused by fake news and the importance of real news produced by respected, trusted news organizations employing high-quality, investigative journalists.
The campaign calls on the public to support real news by subscribing to a local newspaper and supporting investigative journalism through donating to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). ICIJ, Inland Press Association and Local Media Consortium are partners of the campaign.
“We are encouraged by the efforts of our members and other organizations to call attention to the growing fake news problem and to promote the value of real news,” said Alliance President and CEO David Chavern. “As the association that represents the news media industry, fighting fake news is one of the most important things the News Media Alliance can do for our members right now. Our campaign raises awareness of the damage that can be and is being caused by fake news, and to demonstrate why the continued presence of real news organizations is vital to a strong democracy.”
The Alliance has developed a variety of campaign resources leveraging digital, social, video, and print formats. The campaign, which lives on the Alliance website, includes two colorful ads in print and digital formats; a 90-second online video; social media graphics and profile badge; blog posts and an Op-ed by Chavern.
The ICIJ is also posting the ads on its website. “We are delighted to be included in this important campaign, which echoes our mission to support and enable investigative journalism,” said Gerard Ryle, Director at ICIJ.
Additional partners of the campaign include Inland Press and the Local Media Consortium (LMC). “We wanted to show our support for this important initiative and encourage our members to participate,” stated Doug Hiemstra, President, Inland Press. “The more news organizations participate, the greater impact we can have.”
“We have all been forced to deal with fake news,” stated Rusty Coats, Executive Director of the LMC. “Which is why we should all come together to address it.”
The Alliance will also host a Facebook Live event at 2:00 pm EST on March 29th. The event will feature a panel discussing issues pertaining to the current news environment and fake news. The panel will be moderated by Alliance staff and will include Q&A with viewers during the live event.
“Our hope is for news media organizations to share our campaign and amplify our message, and for the public to respond by supporting real news and the journalists who make it all possible,” stated Chavern.
For more information, visit www.newsmediaalliance.org/supportrealnews.
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The News Media Alliance is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 2,000 news organizations and their multiplatform businesses in the United States and Canada. Alliance members include print, digital and mobile publishers of original news content. Headquartered near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Va., the association focuses on ensuring the future of news media through communication, research, advocacy and innovation. Information about the News Media Alliance (formerly NAA) can be found at www.newsmediaalliance.org.
Lindsey is Director, Communications at the News/Media Alliance. Prior to joining the Alliance, she led communications for a food and nutrition nonprofit in Washington, D.C. for over eight years.
