ONA Weekly #543: Why We Support Journalism—and You

Why we support journalism—and you

ONA’s Meghan Murphy and Hanaa Rifaey returned to It’s All Journalism for a special series with past guests in the countdown to the podcast’s final episode. Listen to their conversation with host Michael O’Connell about driving and navigating change in the media industry, journalism careers, AI in newsrooms and how we can support communities to become more civically informed and engaged. It’s also very much a conversation about why we’re still excited to do this work and hopeful for the future.

Plus, join us in congratulating the It’s All Journalism team and contributors for an incredible 12-year run. Hear more from Michael: I did a podcast for 12 years and this is what I learned.

Network with peers who use AI in journalism

Now running for a second year, ONA’s AI Innovator Collaborative is a regular gathering for ONA members using AI in journalism to connect and share ideas. Meetings happen virtually once a month on the second Tuesday, with the exception of September, when a meetup will happen in person during the ONA25 conference in New Orleans. We’ve discussed specific use cases for AI, how to evaluate new tools, recent wins and fails and more.

Sign up now to add the AI Innovator Collaborative to your 2025 calendar, and join us for the next gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 3–4 p.m. EST.

Lessons from source tracking

How exactly does source tracking improve journalism? Join us online Thursday, Jan. 30, to learn from the American Press Institute’s experience supporting news organizations to track sources in order to build community trust, improve reporting strategies and attract new revenue. API Director of Product Strategy Liz Worthington will moderate the conversation, and the featured experts include Sherkiya Wedgeworth, Managing Editor of Accountability and Outreach for Colorado Public Radio; Leigh Munsil, Editor in Chief at San Antonio Report; and Blanca Méndez, Community Engagement Editor at San Antonio Report. Register now.

Honoring Jeanne Brooks

We are saddened to hear news that former ONA staff member Jeanne Brooks passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5. We extend deepest condolences to Jeanne’s family, friends, colleagues and all who were fortunate to her. 

Jeanne was part of the team from 2010–2013 and significantly contributed to the growth that propelled ONA’s reach and success in its second and now third decade. She forged strategic partnerships at the intersection of journalism and tech, and expanded programs like ONA Local, the ONACamps training series and the ONA13 conference.

We’re gathering tributes and memories to honor and remember Jeanne’s impact on ONA and the journalism community. If you would like to contribute, please contact Karolle Rabarison, Director of Communications, at karolle@journalists.org.

Mark your calendar

• Jan. 14: AI Innovator Collaborative 
• Jan. 30: Source tracking fosters responsive engagement and improves your journalism
• Feb. 11: AI Innovator Collaborative
• March 11: AI Innovator Collaborative
• April 8: AI Innovator Collaborative
• May 13: AI Innovator Collaborative
• June 10: AI Innovator Collaborative
• July 8: AI Innovator Collaborative
• Aug. 12: AI Innovator Collaborative
• Sept. 10-13: ONA25 in New Orleans 
• Oct. 14: AI Innovator Collaborative
• Nov. 11: AI Innovator Collaborative
• Dec. 9: AI Innovator Collaborative

Career opportunities

ONA’s Career Center is an excellent resource for jobs, fellowships and internships in digital journalism. Recent postings include:

• Executive Director/CEO, Online News Association Apply by Jan. 15
• Development Director, States Newsroom
• Librarian for Journalism and Media, Culture and Communication, NYU Libraries
• Politics Editor, CalMatters
• Higher Ed Media Fellowship for Early-Mid Career Journalists, The Institute for Citizens & Scholars
• Bilingual Deputy Editor, Borderless Magazine NFP
• Audience Editor, MinnPost
• Executive Producer, Audio, ProPublica
• Digital Managing Editor, Texas Monthly
• Executive Editor, Digital Programming, Oregon Public Broadcasting
• Local Visual Desk Editor, CatchLight
• RJI Learning Center Project Manager, University of Missouri – Columbia
• Culture Editor, Voice Media Group

What we’re watching in AI tech

• AI Strategy for a New American President. What can we expect for the next few years of U.S. AI policy?
• Nvidia sends less powerful AI chips to China.
• OpenAI’s announcement of its new o3 reasoning model has triggered another wave of anxiety among some computer science majors who fear AI will edge them out of the job market.
• Learn from a year of AI experimentation in nonprofit news.