Working groups
Working Groups are the core of our work and the primary way in which News Futures is organized. Anyone involved actively in a News Futures Working Group is considered a News Futures contributor.
All Working Groups are:
Conceptually, financially and operationally supported by News Futures staff
Made up of News Futures contributors
Led by News Futures stewards
Proposals for Working Groups are open through May 1, 2026. Explore our past and present working groups below and learn more about the proposal process by endorsing the News Futures charter.
2026 Working Groups and Communities of Practice
Past Working Groups
Narratives for Media Reform
How might we ramp up News Future’s influence to foster policy and cultural conversations around reimagining local news for our communities? We need to set the terms of debate around what local news is and what it could be. To that end, this group envisioned a kind of “publishing wing” of our civic media movement that would seed, fund and support the publication and distribution of media of many types (writing, videos, TikToks, etc) about the future of local news, and the structural/cultural shifts required to usher in civic media.
Cycle: 2024-2025
Civic Media Census
How can we understand and map the emerging civic media movement? We've just published the Civic Media Census Report and are currently canvassing feedback to shape an expansion and future iteration.
Cycle: 2023-2024
Media Policy Agenda: Season II
How can policy platforms guide and shape the future of local news? The Media Power Collaborative, born out of News Futures in 2021 and now part of Free Press, is made up of media workers, movement organizers and allied researchers and is working to be an active political voice in emerging debates about the future of local news and civic information.
Cycle: 2023-2024
The Future of Local Journalism in West Virginia
How can local journalism challenge mainstream narratives in West Virginia? This group addressed journalism's role in West Virginia's democracy, partnering with Black By God, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, and News Futures to develop local journalism that challenges mainstream narratives.
Cycle: 2023-2024
Narratives for Media Reform
How might we create a publishing platform for civic media voices? This group supported members in completing book proposals while exploring the development of a publishing wing for the civic media movement.
Cycle: 2023-2024
Equipping Our Community
How can we best equip community members with journalism skills? This education-focused group connects journalists, organizers, and educators, developing best practices for community journalism training programs and facilitating knowledge exchange among practitioners.
Cycle: 2022-2023
Visioning Circle
What is our vision for the information ecosystem of our dreams? This group develops News Futures' strategic direction, working with news and information leaders to craft a vision for transforming communities through improved information ecosystems.
Cycle: 2022-2023
Care Collaboratory
How can we care for community members in our storytelling processes? Through six monthly virtual gatherings, the Care Collaboratory brought together an interdisciplinary group to explore why enacting care is crucial to building trust, belonging and healing and shared examples and resources on how to do it.
Cycle 2022-2023
Media Policy Agenda
How can public policy support and strengthen local news? This group emerged from discussions about the New Jersey Civic Info Bill campaign, shaping media policy initiatives and helping launch the Media Power Collaborative to support the field through public policy.
Cycle: 2021-2022
Rewiring Journalism’s Theory of Change
How can we effectively advocate for and impact our communities? This group strengthens strategic decision-making and impact communication in journalism, assessing existing models and developing new frameworks to measure influence from individual to national scales.
Cycle: 2021-2022