Newsletter

Solution Set: That pivot to social video? It’s real and time to get on board

Upcoming “Steal My Workflow” workshops let you learn short-form video from the pros

September 3, 2026

It might have started with dancing and lip-synching on TikTok, but short-form social video has become an important way to deliver and consume the news. The 2026 Reuters Digital News Report confirms that, with 54% of people globally accessing news via social and video platforms vs. 51% through news sites and apps. And it’s a trend across every age group.

So the timing is perfect for a special free six-part virtual workshop series, “Steal My Workflow,” taking place from September 17 to October 22, and produced by The Lenfest Institute’s Communities of Practice and the Video Consortium. Each hour-long session features a working video journalist or producer sharing hands-on techniques covering the short-form video pipeline: from pitching leadership on video investment, to scripting and hosting, filming, editing, and social strategy. The series is designed for participants at any experience level.

Here’s a rundown of the sessions:

Session 1: Building the Case for Video in Your Newsroom on September 17 at 3 pm EDT. Jake Nicol (NYT Hard Fork podcast) discusses organizational strategies for prioritizing video in newsrooms.
Session 2: The First 3 Seconds: Hosting & Scripting Secrets on September 24 at 3 pm EDT. Katrina Pham (Chicago Reader) covers crafting hooks, scripting openers, and video-host techniques.
Session 3: Sharpening Your Script on October 1 at 2 pm EDT. Zach Toombs (Evident) explains adapting long-form reporting into social scripts and coaching reporters without video experience.
Session 4: Filming & Producing: The Synergy of Script & Camera on October 8 at 3 pm EDT. Casey Mendoza (Encyclopedia Britannica) shares budget film tips, storyboarding, and batch production strategies.
Session 5: The Art of the Edit: Quick Turn Short-Form Video on October 15 at 3 pm EDT. Stephanie Shen (NYT Opinion Video) details her editing workflow, deadline-driven decisions, and post-production.
Session 6: Let’s Talk Social Strategy on October 22 at 3 pm EDT. Carissa Quiambao (ProPublica) addresses platform prioritization, analytics, and turning reporting into effective social video content.

It’s your chance to learn from the pros, with working video journalists from the New York Times, ProPublica, and beyond revealing their day-to-day workflows. And no matter your experience level, you will walk away with practical, field-tested techniques you can use right away.

Now let’s get to some timely resources for newsrooms, including:

💰 Data journalism grants from The Pulitzer Center

📲 Entrepreneur in Residence program for tech builders of the future

🎉 Learn how solutions journalism can lead to increased revenues

💬 Find out how SMS and texting can lead to deeper engagement

Did we miss any resources? Drop us a line here and let us know.

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🧠 Brain food: insights from the field

There’s increasing evidence that solutions journalism can and should be part of a strong revenue strategy from Solutions Journalism Network

“In the first two accelerators [with Blue Engine Collaborative], the 18 participating news outlets said nine out of every 10 sponsors or prospective sponsors named solutions journalism as a somewhat or very important factor in deciding whether to give…In the first accelerator, there was a seven-fold increase in sponsorship revenue among the eight participating outlets. In the second, there was a 12-fold increase.”

We surveyed over 300 Ward 7 residents. Here’s what they said by George Kevin Jordan at The 51st

“Since January, we reached out to Ward 7 residents by tabling, attending, or hosting more than 19 events…Through the survey and a multitude of conversations, respondents told us they wanted to see articles that balance the rich history and culture of Ward 7 neighborhoods, while also addressing pressing community issues like food accessibility and concerns about the new RFK stadium redevelopment project.”

My community has a whole new story now — because of local news by Melanie Jongsa at The Lansing Journal

“It wasn’t The Lansing Journal’s idea to start a lunch program for tornado victims. It was Liz Avila’s idea, and it grew into something more because she already knew us from eight years ago when she trusted us to tell her family’s story. And then she trusted us again to come alongside her and help tell the story of the tornado lunches. And now Lansing, my town, is not a village of frustrated tornado victims — we’re a community that is proud of how resilient and strong and creative and generous we are.”

Lessons in turning newsletters into subscription engines by Pierre de Villiers at FIPP

“We have a half million paying members and 400,000 of them take at least one newsletter – many of them take many more than that. It’s just a huge opportunity for us to deliver regular value to them. And I think when you’re asking people to pay you on a monthly or an annual basis you’ve got to give them something of regular utility.” — Jenni Allen, director of content at Which?

Grants & Fellowships: bring in the 💰

Grants

Data Journalism Grants from The Pulitzer Center – The Center is looking for proposals that will employ cutting-edge data techniques, as well as embrace collaboration among newsrooms, whether that be across state lines or across national borders. They encourage proposals that push the envelope in data collection and analysis and make use of advanced data mining techniques, such as machine learning, natural language processing, as well as spatial data analysis, satellite imagery, drones, and sensors. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Investigative Journalism Grants from the Fund for Investigative Journalism – The Fund provides grants and other support for reporters to produce high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact. Freelance journalists, staff reporters, and media outlets are eligible for grants, and their investigations can be for print, online, or broadcast stories, books, documentaries, or podcasts. Regular grants are up to $10,000 with seed funding grants for up to $2,500 for preliminary reporting. Apply by September 14.
Solitary Confinement Reporting Grants from Solitary Watch – Solitary Watch is offering grants to journalists and nonprofit newsrooms working in all media with the goal of expanding public awareness and understanding of solitary confinement in U.S. federal and state prisons, local and tribal jails, immigration detention centers, and juvenile justice facilities. Grants range from $1,000 to $3,000. Apply by October 31.
Fund for Indigenous Journalists from International Women’s Media Foundation – The Fund’s Indigenous Journalists & Allies: Reporting on Missing & Murdered People/Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender People (MMIP/WG2T) initiative directly supports Indigenous journalists’ and allies’ reporting on the violence that targets members of Indigenous nations, both on sovereign ground and in urban settings in the U.S. Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists of all genders affiliated with media outlets, as well as freelancers, are invited to apply. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Fault Lines Reporting Fund from International Women’s Media Foundation – Supports journalists reporting on the forces driving racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, and other forms of intolerance. Successful applications will examine how false, divisive, and harmful narratives take hold, including what is fueling them, where they are most pronounced, the scope of their impact, and where progress is made in combatting hate-based agendas. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $10,000. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Reporting Grants from Sidney Hillman Foundation – Grants support ambitious, timely, under-covered stories about the U.S workplace. The grants are part of the foundation’s efforts to improve coverage of working people, union organizing, and the workplace. They are also intended to help support freelance reporters. Grants are up to $5,000 and are intended to cover the costs of reporting these vital stories, such as travel and related expenses. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Collaborative Operating Models Program from the Public Media Bridge Fund – The first open call under the Sustainability Program focuses on advancing collaborative operating models across the public media system. The purpose of this initiative is to implement new operating and collaborative structures that strengthen the long-term sustainability of public media organizations. Investments up to $500,000 include grants, low-interest loans, and advisory services. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Fellowships

Entrepreneur in Residence at New_Public – There’s so much potential for tech builders who want to build part of a whole new information ecosystem taking shape now, far beyond the status quo of big social media platforms. That’s why New_Public is supporting solo founders with a new virtual residency program. You bring the vision and the experience and New_Public supplies the research, experts, connections, and tools. The program runs for three months with a $22,500 stipend. Apply by September 9.
Editing Residency at The New York Times – The Residency is a one-of-a-kind program aimed at cultivating the next generation of editors. The art of editing continues to evolve as newsrooms tell stories in increasingly creative and visual ways. Residents work full time for two years across a range of desks in the newsroom. They are paid, receive benefits, and attend dedicated training and speaker programs at the Times. Three new residents are expected to start early next year. Apply by September 8.
Brain Health Reporting Fellowship from Poynter – A year-long fellowship designed to help journalists strengthen their reporting on brain health, neuroscience, and scientific research. It will bring together 30 journalists from across the country for advanced training, personalized coaching, and direct access to leading journalists, researchers, and medical experts. The program begins in December 2026 with a three-day convening at Poynter’s campus followed by monthly virtual workshops and individualized coaching throughout 2027. Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend. Apply by September 22.
Tech Policy Press Fellowship – Tech Policy Press will support fellows pursuing independent reporting and analysis that explore urgent questions at the intersection of technology and democracy. The year-long, part-time fellowship, starting January 2027, is designed to support mid-career journalists, researchers, and public policy professionals. They welcome a wide range of contributions, from original reporting to policy analysis. There is a $10,000 stipend. Apply by September 24.
Berlin Prize Fellowship from the American Academy in Berlin – The Academy welcomes applications from a broad range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, law, journalism, and various areas of public policy. They encourage projects that address pressing issues of the day, such as democracy, security, technology and society (especially AI). Fellows receive monthly stipends of $5,000, round-trip airfare, and accommodation at or near the Hans Arnhold Center. Apply by September 25.
Wilson Center Research Fellowship Program – The Wilson Center invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to take part in its flagship Research Fellowship Program. Fellows conduct research and write in their areas of interest, while interacting with policymakers in Washington and other fellows. The Center pays a stipend of $10,000 per month, and the program runs from June 1, 2027 to May 30, 2028. Apply by September 30.
Alicia Patterson Fellowships from the Fund for Investigative Reporting – The fellowships are for established freelance journalists (or journalists employed part-time by a news outlet) who have already published a body of work. The fellowships support investigative reporting on all topics with a strong U.S. focus. The fellowships were started in 1960 in honor of Alicia Patterson, the founding editor of Newsday and the first woman to run a major U.S. newspaper. The fellowships pay $40,000 for a 12-month investigation or $20,000 for a six-month investigation. Apply by October 1.

Training: upskill FTW 🎓

Strategies to seek funding for investigative journalism from GIJN, September 8 at 10:30 am EDT – This session will provide a kind of decision tree or logic to help journalists determine what paths may be worth exploring to find story and project funding in their region or topic. The webinar is aimed at individual journalists who have not done fundraising for their work and are seeking advice on where to get started. The session, led by former INN CEO Sue Cross, will explore key considerations and pathways to explore funding options.
Understanding U.S. indie info providers from CNTI and ONA, September 10 at noon EDT – Drawing on in-depth interviews with 26 indie info providers, the discussion will focus on two of the most actionable areas: how indie info providers approach multiplatform distribution and audience reach, and how they’re working — often struggling — to build sustainable revenue.
Data, aging and housing: Reporting on demographic changes and migration in the U.S. from The Journalist’s Resource, September 10 at 2 pm EDT – Demographic changes in the U.S. are reshaping state budgets, housing policy, and how we care for older Americans. Reporters will learn about the data that can take their stories to the next level during the one hour webinar co-presented with Pew Charitable Trusts. The hour will also feature a hands-on demo of how journalists and policy makers can use demographic data from Pew.

The Rise of Private News: Using SMS and Messaging for Deeper Engagement in Journalism from the Knight Center, September 14 to 27 – Learn how messaging platforms can help you build stronger, more direct relationships with the people you serve. In this free two-week asynchronous course, participants will explore how SMS, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms are reshaping journalism and creating new opportunities for deeper, more direct audience relationships. Led by Advance Digital’s David Cohn.
Power of Diverse Voices: Writing Workshop for Journalists of Color from Poynter, November 10-13 in St. Petersburg, Fla. – This free workshop (with some travel support) celebrates its 10th anniversary at Poynter by helping journalists of color harness the power of their voice through four intensive days of immersive learning. Develop confidence and skills to share your unique perspective, build professional networks, and address the underrepresentation of diverse voices in opinion journalism. Apply by September 18.
DataTalk campaign finance data training from Big Local News, September 30 and October 7 – DataTalk is a reporting tool from Big Local News that makes federal campaign-finance data searchable in plain English, allowing reporters to ask questions like “Which races in my state are getting the most out-of-state money?” or “Who’s spending campaign funds on travel and fancy restaurants?” DataTalk queries the latest FEC data and gives you results you can download — showing its work along the way with code and links you can cite and verify. Ahead of election season, Big Local News is hosting two free trainings: Intro to DataTalk on September 30 and Finding Stories in Campaign-Finance Data on October 7.
Propel Regional Training from the Maynard Institute, October 22-24 in Burbank, Calif. – The second training round of the Propel Regional Training Series is in partnership with California State University at Northridge and will convene at the Los Angeles Burbank Marriott Airport Hotel. This training is for California-based early- and mid-career editors and managers, focusing on the tools and frameworks needed to succeed in their newsrooms and careers. The training is free, and there is limited, needs-based travel assistance. Register by October 14.
Covering Immigration with Care: A Mental Health Reporting Project Webinar from Poynter, October 21 at noon EDT – Learn how to report on the effects of immigration on mental health with greater context, accuracy, and care. This free webinar explores trauma-informed interviewing, ethical storytelling, and practical reporting strategies. Learn how to connect individual stories to policy, services, and support systems, and hear from experienced journalists covering immigration.
AI for Product: Are You AI-Exposed? from the Local Media Association, November 10 at 2 pm EST; free for LMA members; $29 for non-members – Artificial intelligence creates many opportunities for news innovation. But AI also exposes news organizations to many new risks. In this essential session, Jon Accarrino, founder of ORDO Digital, walks news leaders through the key privacy and security risks news organizations face both from using AI and from having their content used by AI, including a security and tools checklist.

Support: Get the help you need ☎️

Evidence-based election coverage: A guide for journalists from SciLine – SciLine offers reporting resources to help journalists step back from political back-and-forth and show voters what evidence-based research can tell us about the biggest issues at stake in the midterm elections. They will be adding more resources throughout the 2026 midterm election season.
Emergency Mode for News from OpenNews, Newspack, and NC Local – The resource equips local journalists and their newsrooms with the tools they need to respond to climate disasters. With a disaster reporting action pack, software, and a learning community, Emergency Mode is designed to help journalists act nimbly and creatively to serve their communities when the unexpected happens.
Local News Research Hub from Rebuild Local News and Syracuse University – Access a curated collection of studies that show how the decline of local news affects communities and the solutions emerging across the country. Building on Democracy Fund’s literature review, the Hub collates and regularly updates the evidence base to guide more targeted investments and policy interventions that support the local news ecosystem.
The Lenfest Expert Network from The Lenfest Institute – The Expert Network connects local news organizations with experienced consultants who provide pro bono hands-on support to strengthen sustainability, audience engagement, and digital transformation for short-term consulting engagements lasting one to six months. Interested in joining an upcoming consulting round? Sign up for office hours here.

Events: learn and network 📅

Independent News Sustainability Summit from LION Publishers, September 9–11 in San Diego – Brings together local independent online news leaders to share knowledge, hard-won lessons, and actionable advice on running a sustainable news business.
NLGJA’s National Convention, September 10–13 in San Francisco – The country’s leading event for LGBTQ+ journalists, media professionals, students, and educators. The community spans every corner of the industry, from broadcast and print to digital and radio.
International Symposium on Journalism (ISOJ), September 17-18 in Austin – A global gathering that convenes leading journalists, media executives, and scholars to explore emerging innovations and challenges shaping the field.
Journalism & Women’s Symposium (JAWS) CAMP, October 2-4 in Santa Monica, Calif. – Brings women and nonbinary journalists together from different specialties, beats, demographics, and geographies to share with, learn from, and empower each other.
Mental Health in Journalism Summit from The Self-Investigation, October 6-9 online – An open, collaborative, and global conversation about what care looks like when it’s built into the structures of journalism work.
AccessFest 2026 from IRE, October 8-10 online – The conference will provide professional development opportunities that focus on diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion issues within the newsroom and in news coverage. Must be an IRE member.
Local News Camp from Blue Engine Collaborative, October 14–16 in Durham, NC – The event is for leaders who get things done: publishers, editors, audience directors, product leaders, and analytics mavens. Attendance is capped to preserve depth, connection, and meaningful exchange.
Latino Media Summit at CUNY, October 15 in New York – The summit explores emerging opportunities, shares practical solutions, and fosters collaboration to strengthen journalism and better serve Latino communities across the country.
News Product Alliance Summit, October 21-23 in Chicago – The event is for decision-makers who set priorities and ship work across product, audience, technology, revenue, and editorial, and turn strategy into execution.

Ask a Bot 🤖

Prompt: In one paragraph, tell me the pros and cons of newsrooms investing in a social video strategy.

Answer via Claude: Investing in a social video strategy lets newsrooms meet audiences, especially younger ones, where they already spend time (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts), driving brand awareness and making complex stories more shareable beyond traditional website traffic. However, it’s resource-intensive, requiring dedicated staff, equipment, and training that strain tight budgets, and it depends on volatile platform algorithms outside the newsroom’s control. There’s also a risk of value misalignment, because platforms often reward sensational content over nuance, pressuring newsrooms toward oversimplification, and monetization is typically far less lucrative than traditional advertising or subscriptions. Finally, building on rented platform space limits the long-term, direct audience relationships newsrooms are trying to cultivate.

Human analysis: Interesting how much of the paragraph is taken up by the cons vs. the pros. 🤔 Once again, newsrooms are being enticed by the promise of larger, younger, more engaged audiences on social platforms. Once again, there is the threat of being eaten up by changing algorithms and the push toward “sensational content.” The middle ground is to move into social video strategically, making sure that it can lead to subscriptions, donations and more direct relationships that last.