SDMN Awarded Distinguished Grant
Sol de Medianoche News received a grant from Press Forward to enhance coverage, bridge communities, and support local journalism in Alaska.We are profoundly happy to announce that Sol de Medianoche News is one of seven Alaska organizations selected to receive funding from Press Forward, which has distributed $700,000 among newsrooms across the state. This funding is part of a larger $20 million grant package intended for 205 newsrooms nationwide, aimed at bolstering local news coverage and community engagement.
The grant is particularly significant for Sol de Medianoche News, which has been dedicated to bridging the gap between Alaska’s Latino community and the broader state. Lina Mariscal, editor and publisher of the newspaper, expressed her enthusiasm for the recognition. “We are very happy to receive this recognition. Over the last few years, we have been slowly raising awareness on the importance of language access and creating a bridge between Alaska’s Latino community and the broader state, and this grant motivates us to continue moving forward.” The Press Forward initiative, launched less than a year ago, aims to support newsrooms that demonstrate strong community-based leadership and a commitment to sustainability. This funding is particularly impactful as the current local news panorama is incredibly challenging. Many organizations are operating on annual budgets of less than $1 million and are navigating the transition to better adapt to digital audiences. Sol de Medianoche News was selected from a competitive pool of 931 applicants and plans to use the funding to expand their reporting process and explore new digital initiatives to continue fostering civic engagement and connection with Alaska’s Latino community. Now that Sol de Medianoche News embarks on this new chapter, Mariscal emphasized the importance of collaboration between different media outlets. “We are definitely ready to collaborate with the rest of the Alaskan grantees to continue strengthening the importance of local news and help understand what is at stake for us all,” she said in a news story at Chilkat Valley News. This grant not only represents a vital opportunity for Sol de Medianoche News but also reinforces the critical role of local journalism in fostering community engagement and access to information in Alaska. None of this would be possible without the support of our readers and the trust Press Forward has given us to expand our coverage, bringing vital stories in both English and Spanish, and amplifying Alaska’s Latino voices. This grant strengthens our commitment to serving our community, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. Thank you Press Forward for your trust and support. |