Local Journalism and Media Literacy
Traditional news models have been severely disrupted by the proliferation of the internet, unregulated social media platforms, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Between 2004 and 2020, over 2,100 newspapers ceased publication. Many of the newspapers that remain are now owned by public companies or hedge funds with little connection or concern for the local communities they serve. As a result, a growing number of areas are being deprived of reliable, local news and essential civic information.
Advancing Civic Engagement Through Local Media
This transformation in the media landscape poses a profound threat to our democracy. Local journalism plays an indispensable role in informing citizens, holding institutions and elected officials accountable, and fostering civic participation. It strengthens community identity and ensures transparency in local government, education, public safety, and other critical areas. The loss of local news particularly impacts rural and conservative communities, many of which have long been underserved or overlooked by national media outlets.
In response to this urgent need, The Steinman Foundation is committed to pursuing and supporting sustainable business models for local journalism—ones that prioritize independent, community-focused reporting and media literacy.
This commitment is deeply rooted in the Foundation’s history. For nearly 160 years, the Steinman family owned and operated LNP Media Group, Inc., publisher of LNP | Lancasteronline, the trusted news source in Lancaster County. Effective July 1, 2023, the daily newspaper, LNP, along with weekly newspapers Lititz Record Express, The Ephrata Review and The Caucus were donated to WITF, a Harrisburg-based public broadcasting operator. At the same time, WITF created the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement that was funded by a donation from The Steinman Foundation. The Foundation’s philanthropic work reflects this legacy and its belief in the essential role of local media in a functioning democracy.
In 2020, The Steinman Foundation provided seed funding for the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund, dedicated to supporting, protecting, and expanding high-quality local journalism. The Fund promotes investigative and public interest reporting, along with efforts to improve media literacy, ensuring that Lancaster County residents remain informed, engaged, and empowered.
Building on this work, the Foundation also committed funding towards the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement to address the evolving challenges facing local media. Through innovation, education, and civic engagement, the Institute is working to ensure that robust local journalism endures for generations to come.