Signal Akron will strengthen area communities by providing public service journalism that centers residents’ needs
Media contact: press@signalohio.org
AKRON, OH — December 5, 2023 — Signal Ohio, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit news startups, launched Signal Akron today, its second newsroom in Ohio. The growing range of freely accessible journalism at SignalAkron.org will include accountability reporting and community resources. Stories already published include a deeper look at police accountability, the effects of the city’s efforts to set neighborhood boundaries, a column by local artists in Akron, and a guide to getting relief on utility bills.
“As we launch and continue to build Signal Akron, I’m excited to see our reporters include neighborhood voices and perspectives in their work. Our content will be driven by the community and the Akronites working in our Documenters program,” said Susan Kirkman Zake, editor-in-chief of Signal Akron.
Signal Akron’s goal is to significantly increase accountability reporting and visibility of stories relevant to Akron residents, including coverage of arts and culture, local government, education, health, public safety and business. The newsroom will equip Akronites with the news and information they need daily. With plans to grow to a staff of 11, Signal Akron will provide daily coverage that will center community voices and allow residents to help set coverage priorities.
“Signal Akron is a critically important addition to the local news ecosystem, filling a void created by shrinking newsrooms across the region,” said Debra Adams Simmons, senior director of editorial projects at WGBH, former editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal, and Signal Ohio board member. “Signal Akron will expand the volume, depth and reach of news in the market while centering the experiences and amplifying the voices of the residents who live here.”
As a component of its reporting, Signal Akron will also feature the Akron Documenters program, part of the award-winning national Documenters Network by City Bureau, which trains and pays residents to cover public meetings. So far, more than 100 Akron residents have attended community meetings with Signal, and dozens have expressed interest in serving as Documenters, who will collect information that is critical to Signal Akron’s reporting.
Coverage and resources from Signal Akron are free at SignalAkron.org, social media and email, and will be made free to other outlets for republication. Signal Akron will also begin publishing Akron Alive!, a weekly newsletter featuring things to do in Greater Akron.
“Communities depend on independent local journalism to inform them, but newsrooms can’t do that if they are not financially sustainable,” said Jim Brady, vice president of journalism at Knight Foundation. “So, we’re excited to support Signal Akron so it can serve residents well into that sustainable future.”
Signal Akron joins Signal Cleveland in the growing Signal Ohio local news network, which is helping to ensure a thriving local media ecosystem across the state. It’s made possible by a coalition of local organizations including Knight Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Goodyear, the Greater Akron Chamber, Huntington Bank, United Way of Summit & Medina, the University of Akron Foundation and the American Journalism Project, along with generous contributions from residents who believe in Signal’s community-centered mission. The Akron newsroom and Signal Ohio will be sustained by contributions from local philanthropies, individuals, and corporate partners.
“Our ability to serve Akronites is another step toward achieving our ultimate goal, which is to strengthen our democracy by giving all Ohioans the ability to access unbiased, nonpartisan news and information,” said Rita McNeil Danish, CEO of Signal Ohio.
“The expansion of Signal Ohio and the launch of Signal Akron is a thrilling moment in the movement to expand nonprofit local news,” said Sarabeth Berman, CEO of American Journalism Project. “Local civic leaders, Akronites, and philanthropy came together to create this new newsroom and ensure their community has sustainable journalism necessary for Akron to thrive. We’re looking forward to working with the team at Signal to ensure the long-term viability of this new enterprise.”
Six reporters and editors have been hired so far, along with a growing group of Documenters and resident contributors. Signal Akron is actively hiring for additional positions to build a newsroom that is representative of the community it serves.
More information and daily news coverage are available at SignalAkron.org.
About Signal Ohio
Signal Ohio is a network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community leaders, and the American Journalism Project. With more than $15 million raised Signal is one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country with a growing network of newsrooms across Ohio. Signal Ohio is transforming local news with a community-centered journalism model that ensures residents get the news and information they need about issues that affect their cities. Learn more at SignalOhio.com.