Public Interest Journalism – Media in the Public Interest

Public Interest Journalism

Media in the Public Interest (MPI) is the nonprofit affiliate of the Public News Service (PNS), an AP-style news service for public interest news.

Through this partnership, we support nonprofit organizations, investigative news producers, foundations, and others by producing news stories on environmental, economic, health and social justice issues. We target these stories to national, regional or state-level media, depending upon each organization’s strategic focus.

Stories are distributed in ready-to-use radio, print, and digital formats reaching:

6,000 news outlets across the country and,
an estimated potential weekly audience of 60 million.

Working with nationally renowned communications professionals and journalists, MPI enhances public debate, promotes civic journalism, and strengthens democracy by amplifying grassroots voices that are often excluded from the public dialogue.

We develop strategies that help journalists and public interest non-profit advocates increase the impact of their work, leading to positive policy outcomes and stronger, more influential progressive leaders.

We have partnered with Investigative and Solutions journalists and news producers and Journalism Schools to support efforts to inform the public on critical issues of the day.

121

Media in the Public Interest

MPI’s work enhances public debate and promotes civic journalism by amplifying the grassroots non-p

Media in the Public Interest

2 days ago

On May 12, 2021, Chris and Angela Powers submitted a $4,000 bid for a Lawrence County Land Bank property.It was above the Auditor’s appraised value of $3,340. But the Powers really loved the riverfront site. The owner of an adjoining property had let them camp right next to it for years.So they bid for the wooded parcel, on the northern bank of the Ohio River, as well as an adjoining parcel – not on the river, but just behind it.The Powers attended a May 18, 2021 land bank meeting. The agenda noted that another bid for the riverfront property had been submitted by Ed Gillespie, who owns more than 30 nearby properties and has close ties to the Mayor.One official motioned to accept the Powers’ bid, but then Mayor Sam Cramblit asked the Powers to leave the public meeting. They did. Upon their return, they learned that officials "tabled" their request. … See MoreSee Less

How Rules Written for Distressed ‘Rust Belt’ Property May Benefit a Select Few

publicnewsservice.org

By Lucia Walinchus for Eye on Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism-Public News Service Collaborati…

View on Facebook

Media in the Public Interest

1 week ago

On the heels of the midterm election, #ohio officials say they are now focused on improving voters’ experience at polling locations.No Ohio counties reported significant problems with the voting process on Tuesday, but a few polling locations were plagued by equipment issues and longer-than-expected wait times because of higher-than-average turnout. … See MoreSee Less

For Next Election, Ohio Officials Focus on Improving Polling Locations

publicnewsservice.org

On the heels of the midterm election, state officials say they are now focused on improving voters’ experience at polling locations. No Ohio counties reported significant problems with the voting proc…

View on Facebook

Media in the Public Interest

2 weeks ago

While some states saw glitches with equipment and accusations of voter fraud, state officials and voting-rights advocates agree Election Day here in #ohio was a success.All the state’s nearly 9,000 precincts have reported their counts, with approximately 181,000 absentee and provisional ballots still outstanding. … See MoreSee Less

Election Day in Ohio Deemed a Success for Voters

publicnewsservice.org

While some states saw glitches with equipment and accusations of voter fraud, state officials and voting-rights advocates agree Election Day here in Ohio was a success. All the state’s nearly 9,000 pr…

View on Facebook

Media in the Public Interest

3 weeks ago

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment are putting public safety on #Ohio’s ballot this Election Day. Issue 1 came about after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in January that a $1.5-million bond set for a murder suspect was excessive and unconstitutional.If passed, Issue 1 would require judges to use public safety factors when setting bail, including the seriousness of the crime or a defendant’s criminal history. Supporters, including the governor and attorney general, claim it will give judges the tools they need to keep violent offenders off the streets.Jeremy Cherson, senior policy advisor with The Bail Project, countered judges already consider public safety."When they do consider public safety, though, they can preventively detain people," Cherson said. "There are some limitations and challenges with that as it currently is, but this constitutional amendment doesn’t remedy those problems."Issue 1 would also remove the Ohio Supreme Court’s authority in reviewing factors for setting bail, and allow state lawmakers to decide instead. … See MoreSee Less

Issue 1 Puts Public Safety, Bail Before Ohio Voters

publicnewsservice.org

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment are putting public safety on Ohio’s ballot this Election Day. Issue 1 came about after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in January that a $1.5-million bon…

View on Facebook

Media in the Public Interest

3 weeks ago

Dozens of navigators are available to help Ohioans shopping for health care plans through the federal insurance marketplace. Open enrollment is underway and runs through Dec. 15 for coverage beginning Jan. 1.Nearly 260,000 Ohioans enrolled in coverage for 2022, a 24% increase from the year before.Federal leaders provided an additional $99 million in funding for navigators to provide assistance with enrollment.Kathryn Bamberger, outreach and enrollment coordinator for Southeast Healthcare, explained navigators help consumers compare plans to figure out the right cost and coverage for them."I can’t emphasize how much it’s very helpful to contact a navigator because you wanna make sure you’re getting the assistance that you have a right to," Bamberger stressed. "We’re totally unbiased, and a big part of what we do is educate, from coverage to care."Congress also extended subsidies for health-insurance premiums, so customers will pay no more than 8.5% of their household income on health coverage through the federal exchange through 2025. To schedule an appointment, people can visit getcoveredohio.org. … See MoreSee Less

From Coverage to Care: Federal Marketplace Navigators Ready to Help

publicnewsservice.org

View on Facebook