Anika Anand, programming director for LION Publishers a partner with Google, said the eight-week program is most important for communities that have been historically underrepresented or mischaracterized by existing legacy news publications.
In May, Fluid Communications was awarded a Facebook grant to develop Covid-19 and community news updates targeted specifically to minority communities and seniors in Gary and East Chicago. The project is called The Daily 219 and can be accessed by phone at 219-985-3322 or through the internet at www.thedaily219.com.
Karen Williams, president of Fluid Communications said there was an information and technology gap for minority communities and seniors – many of whom don’t have or don’t know how to get information digitally.
“We came up with a very old school approach. We created a phone number that gives updates as the news changes throughout the day.” Williams said she is looking at other ways to expand news coverage and information in the cities.
“As news and journalism distribution models change, we can’t just rely on the old advertising supported model for sustainability.”