Equity-driven journalism with Resolve Philly’s Jean Friedman-Rudovsky

Local News Matters

Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, executive director of Resolve Philly, delves into the evolution of the nonprofit newsroom and its mission to address the information needs of underserved communities in Philadelphia. She discusses the critical role of equity in journalism, sharing how Resolve Philly has integrated this principle into both its internal practices and editorial work. Jean also highlights the power of collaboration in local news, offering insights into how Resolve Philly has effectively partnered with other newsrooms to tackle issues like reentry and poverty.

Additionally, Jean explores the importance of community engagement and participatory journalism, describing how Resolve Philly involves residents in the news creation process. She provides practical advice for newsrooms looking to incorporate these elements, even with limited resources. Jean also touches on the strategic decisions behind funding, emphasizing the need for diverse revenue streams and the importance of avoiding competition with partner newsrooms.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:19) - The mission and founding of Resolve Philly

(00:06:51) - The evolution and trajectory of Resolve Philly

(00:12:14) - Embedding equity in journalism and its challenges

(00:17:40) - Moving forward with equity despite national polarization

(00:22:40) - Implementing community participatory journalism

(00:28:57) - Designing a newsroom for the future of local news

(00:32:44) - Challenges and strategies in collaboration

(00:39:44) - Seven lessons in collaboration

(00:49:00) - The Philadelphia local news ecosystem

(00:59:09) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:06:35) - Media and local recommendations

Links:

• Jean Friedman-Rudovsky: Linkedln, Twitter/X

• Resolve Philly

• Mentioned

• Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative

• Solutions Journalism Network

• Jane Von Bergen

• The Inquirer

• Center For Cooperative Media

• Broke in Philly

• City Bureau

• Outlier Media

• Cassie Haines

• Derrick Cain

• Becka Gorelick

• Nieman Lab prediction

• The Maynard Institute

• Temple University

• Knight Foundation cities

• Lenfest Institute for Journalism

• Billy Penn

• Philabundance

• Lee Whack

• Local recommendations

• Wissahickon

• Reading Terminal Market

• Old City District

• Germantown

• Media recommendations

• Connect by David Bradford and Carole Robin

• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• Manhunt (Apple TV series)

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shaprio (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).