WILMINGTON — Local News Day is April 9, and to celebrate a group of newsrooms in New Hanover County are coming together and welcoming the public to get to know area reporters covering their community.
The inaugural national Local News Day began from a group of journalists and media outlets — Montana Free Press, American Journalism Project, Press Forward — to help connect with others about the importance of local news.
North Carolina’s nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom, NC Local, has set up news cafes statewide to foster and elevate the role of local news. It’s bringing together media outlets to hear directly from readers, viewers and listeners, in celebration of Local News Day.
The Wilmington event will take place at WHQR Gallery on Thursday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and is free and open to the public. Participating will be NC Local, WHQR, Port City Daily, StarNews, WECT, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, WWAY and encore.
The NC News Cafes are drop-in events. Outlets will offer swag, and engage and garner feedback as editors, publishers and reporters will be on hand to hear input on issues, answer questions, and learn about information gaps. The aim is to build trust among news organizations, journalists and community members.
In addition to the news cafe held at WHQR on April 9, both the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County Commissioners will read proclamations at their weekly meetings in recognition of Local News Day.
If you plan to attend the local news cafe, please, RSVP here. There will be free coffee or other refreshments as well.
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