KQED Launches Groundbreaking Partnership for News

-- Country's most-listened-to public radio station collaborating with several independent local news outlets --

SAN FRANCISCO, August 12, 2011 - KQED has become the first public media organization in the country to join a groundbreaking national program that connects broadcast and print news outlets with local online-first news organizations. The innovative collaboration highlights both the increased importance of blogs when it comes to producing community news and KQED's commitment to providing Bay Area residents with a diverse array of news and information.

Through the Networked Journalism program, KQED is working with the Bay Area news organizations Berkeleyside(berkeleyside.com), Oakland Local (oaklandlocal.com), NeighborWebSJ (neighborwebsjdev.com), and the San Francisco Public Press (sfpublicpress.org). Each organization's posts can be read on the Bay Area page at KQEDnews.org, covering topics ranging from city council meetings and crime to community fairs and transportation issues. Staffers from organizations collaborating with KQED also are contributing to stories produced by KQED Public Radio.

Networked Journalism is a national effort founded by J Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism that has helped established partnerships between online-only outlets and traditional news organizations like The Oregonian and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspapers. It is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“We are enthusiastic about working with the Networked Journalism initiative. And we're excited about this opportunity to work with local news groups and organizations across the Bay Area to present a more diverse, more in-depth news service for our respective online news readers and radio listeners,” remarked Jo Anne Wallace, Vice President and General Manager, KQED Public Radio.

As part of the project, staffers from Bay Area news organizations are also receiving training at KQED in radio production and exploring networking opportunities, as well as other possibilities for collaboration. KQED Community News Coordinator Molly Samuel emphasized that working with KQED has many benefits for local news outlets.

“We're planning events and training so partners can meet each other and expand their skill sets. That will mean that our partners can do even more effective reporting in their communities, and be able to sustain themselves, despite a tough economy and limited resources,” Samuel said. “More and better journalism can only be a good thing, not just for KQED News listeners and readers, but for the Bay Area in general.”

Networked Journalism began in 2009 by working with 25 websites. It has since expanded to include partnerships with 65 websites nationally.

About KQED

KQED (kqed.org) has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area), and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5FM San Francisco and 89.3FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television, one of the nation's most-watched public television stations, is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check, Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA; and Essential Pépin. KQED's digital television channels include 9HD, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids, and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum with Michael Krasny and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local newscasts daily. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as offers several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts, and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents, and the general public through workshops, community screenings, and multimedia resources.

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Media Contact: Ian Hill

(415) 553-2216 or ihill@kqed.org