Joseph Lichterman
@ylichterman.bsky.social
@lenfestinstitute.org
| Attacking this day with an Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind
| Attacking this day with an Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind
Free consulting services for local newsrooms! Apply!
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Lenfest Expert Network, a free service connecting local news orgs with consultants who provide hands-on support to strengthen sustainability, audience engagement, and digital transformation. Learn more about how to join:
Introducing the Lenfest Expert Network
A new pro-bono service connecting local news organizations with experienced consultants who provide tailored expertise.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Free consulting services for local newsrooms! Apply!
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
As year-end giving season approaches, now is the time to inspire deeper support for local journalism. Join the Lenfest News Philanthropy Network for a workshop this Thursday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST to learn about a new messaging toolkit for local news created by Press Forward.
Unlock the power of words: Messaging tools to boost local news fundraising
Press Forward shares details on a new fundraising messaging toolkit at a Nov. 6 Lenfest News Philanthropy Network workshop.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
As year-end giving season approaches, now is the time to inspire deeper support for local journalism. Join the Lenfest News Philanthropy Network for a workshop this Thursday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST to learn about a new messaging toolkit for local news created by Press Forward.
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Want to level up your publication’s digital strategy? The Beyond Print Diagnostic has you covered.
Take the free survey to assess where you are in your digital transformation journey and receive personalized recommendations and resources straight from the Beyond Print Toolkit 👇
Take the free survey to assess where you are in your digital transformation journey and receive personalized recommendations and resources straight from the Beyond Print Toolkit 👇
Introducing the Beyond Print Diagnostic: A new tool to help your print-to-digital transition
A free online tool designed to help local newspapers navigate the complex process of transitioning from print to digital business models.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
July 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Want to level up your publication’s digital strategy? The Beyond Print Diagnostic has you covered.
Take the free survey to assess where you are in your digital transformation journey and receive personalized recommendations and resources straight from the Beyond Print Toolkit 👇
Take the free survey to assess where you are in your digital transformation journey and receive personalized recommendations and resources straight from the Beyond Print Toolkit 👇
Today is a good day to support your local public media station. @michiganpublic.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Today is a good day to support your local public media station. @michiganpublic.bsky.social
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Since its April 2025 launch, @lookout-es.bsky.social has attracted over 1,200 paying members — generating $228,000 in reader revenue — and booked $212,000 in advertising. But as founder Ken Doctor notes, “This is not a story about money. It’s a story about connection and hope.”
A peek beneath the hood of Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s launch
Lookout Eugene-Springfield has grown quickly since its launch, thanks to plenty of preparation around revenue, tech, and community listening.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
July 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Since its April 2025 launch, @lookout-es.bsky.social has attracted over 1,200 paying members — generating $228,000 in reader revenue — and booked $212,000 in advertising. But as founder Ken Doctor notes, “This is not a story about money. It’s a story about connection and hope.”
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
At the 2025 Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit, we brought together 150 journalists and news leaders to discuss strategies for building the future of local news 🌆💡
From AI breakthroughs to creator partnerships, one message was clear: Innovation is essential to sustainability.
From AI breakthroughs to creator partnerships, one message was clear: Innovation is essential to sustainability.
The future of local news starts here: Creators, AI, and lessons from the 2025 Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit
How news leaders in Philadelphia are building a foundation for the future of journalism through content creators, AI tools, and fresh talent.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
July 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
At the 2025 Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit, we brought together 150 journalists and news leaders to discuss strategies for building the future of local news 🌆💡
From AI breakthroughs to creator partnerships, one message was clear: Innovation is essential to sustainability.
From AI breakthroughs to creator partnerships, one message was clear: Innovation is essential to sustainability.
Look at this picture of my dog and read my newsletter about what I've learned in the first month of my MBA program
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Learning to swim
A month into my MBA program, I'm figuring out how to navigate the deep end and learning new approaches to leadership. Plus a picture of my dog.
substack.com
May 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Look at this picture of my dog and read my newsletter about what I've learned in the first month of my MBA program
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
“I look at my job as I’m trying to help the donor have the impact they want to have on the world.” — @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social of @mississippifreepress.org at the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, hosted with Press Forward. We compiled lessons from the Summit on messaging, stewardship, & more ⬇️
Lessons from the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit: ‘Help the donor have the impact they want to have on the world’
Takeaways from the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit to help with fundraising messaging, cultivation strategy, donor stewardship, and more.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“I look at my job as I’m trying to help the donor have the impact they want to have on the world.” — @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social of @mississippifreepress.org at the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, hosted with Press Forward. We compiled lessons from the Summit on messaging, stewardship, & more ⬇️
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Super exciting! ProPublica Joins Lenfest Institute AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program
And apply here to be our AI Engineering Fellow: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
And apply here to be our AI Engineering Fellow: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
ProPublica Joins Lenfest Institute AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
May 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Super exciting! ProPublica Joins Lenfest Institute AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program
And apply here to be our AI Engineering Fellow: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
And apply here to be our AI Engineering Fellow: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Day 1 of the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, hosted in partnership with Press Forward, kicked off this morning with three of our keynote speakers: Mallory Mitchell of Aligned Strategy, @mississippifreepress.org's @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social, & @kspence09.bsky.social of Colorado Media Project.
May 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Day 1 of the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, hosted in partnership with Press Forward, kicked off this morning with three of our keynote speakers: Mallory Mitchell of Aligned Strategy, @mississippifreepress.org's @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social, & @kspence09.bsky.social of Colorado Media Project.
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Thank god—a real strike against anti-Semitism here
Several Columbia Univ student journalists are suspended after covering protests (while wearing press ID) in the main library.
Their access to campus is blocked, and they can't take final exams.
Also: Columbia's acting president is a former ABC journalist
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/05...
Their access to campus is blocked, and they can't take final exams.
Also: Columbia's acting president is a former ABC journalist
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/05...
Barnard suspends WKCR and Spectator reporters who covered Butler Library protest
Barnard and Columbia issued interim suspensions Thursday afternoon to four student journalists who covered a Wednesday pro-Palestinian protest in Butler Library, citing “information received” from Pub...
www.columbiaspectator.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Thank god—a real strike against anti-Semitism here
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
RIP @houstonlanding.bsky.social
Some amazing numbers in this analysis from @sewell.bsky.social:
Almost $8 million in spending last year, against just $430,000 in new revenue, of which only $25,000 in major gifts.
www.cjr.org/news/houston...
Some amazing numbers in this analysis from @sewell.bsky.social:
Almost $8 million in spending last year, against just $430,000 in new revenue, of which only $25,000 in major gifts.
www.cjr.org/news/houston...
The Houston Landing Is Closing, and Laying Off 43 Employees
The nonprofit startup struggled to identify a business model, an editorial strategy, and a large audience.
www.cjr.org
April 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
RIP @houstonlanding.bsky.social
Some amazing numbers in this analysis from @sewell.bsky.social:
Almost $8 million in spending last year, against just $430,000 in new revenue, of which only $25,000 in major gifts.
www.cjr.org/news/houston...
Some amazing numbers in this analysis from @sewell.bsky.social:
Almost $8 million in spending last year, against just $430,000 in new revenue, of which only $25,000 in major gifts.
www.cjr.org/news/houston...
These are valuable insights into how @lenfestinstitute.org has conducted community research in Philadelphia to inform its grantmaking.
For local news funders, the urge to fund the most pressing needs is understandable, but so is the desire to take a slow, strategic approach. We recommend investing in community listening, and turning those insights into action. Here’s what we learned from our community research in Philly (1/5) 🧵⬇️
How community listening and research inform The Lenfest Institute’s work to serve the Philadelphia news ecosystem
If funders want to make local news investments count, utilize community listening and swiftly turn those insights into action.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
April 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
These are valuable insights into how @lenfestinstitute.org has conducted community research in Philadelphia to inform its grantmaking.
The Michigan Daily has good coverage of the University of Michigan’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The University’s cowardly capitulation is antithetical to its supposed values. This is not what the leaders and best do.
www.michigandaily.com/news/news-br...
The University’s cowardly capitulation is antithetical to its supposed values. This is not what the leaders and best do.
www.michigandaily.com/news/news-br...
UMich announces cuts to all DEI programs
The University of Michigan announced cuts to campus-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives Thursday, effective immediately.
www.michigandaily.com
March 27, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The Michigan Daily has good coverage of the University of Michigan’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The University’s cowardly capitulation is antithetical to its supposed values. This is not what the leaders and best do.
www.michigandaily.com/news/news-br...
The University’s cowardly capitulation is antithetical to its supposed values. This is not what the leaders and best do.
www.michigandaily.com/news/news-br...
"It’s hard not to think that the American thought police have disappeared a promising student into their gulag archipelago for the alleged 'crime' of publishing their political opinion in a college newspaper." - @willbunch.bsky.social in @inquirer.com www.inquirer.com/opinion/rume...
The disappearing of Rumeysa Ozturk is something I never thought I’d see in America | Will Bunch
Masked federal agents in an unmarked vehicle snatched a Tufts student off the street for an op-ed she wrote in a college newspaper.
www.inquirer.com
March 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"It’s hard not to think that the American thought police have disappeared a promising student into their gulag archipelago for the alleged 'crime' of publishing their political opinion in a college newspaper." - @willbunch.bsky.social in @inquirer.com www.inquirer.com/opinion/rume...
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
“The domestic threat to U.S. public media has become even more apparent as the administration chooses to shutter American media abroad,” writes our Executive Director and CEO Jim Friedlich in response to the decision to silence Voice of America. Read his full op-ed for @inquirer.com ⬇️
With Voice of America silenced, could U.S. public media outlets be next? | Opinion
The president's decision to shutter the global news organization portends ever more troubling repression of independent journalism in the United States, Jim Friedlich writes.
share.inquirer.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
“The domestic threat to U.S. public media has become even more apparent as the administration chooses to shutter American media abroad,” writes our Executive Director and CEO Jim Friedlich in response to the decision to silence Voice of America. Read his full op-ed for @inquirer.com ⬇️
I'm glad to work at @lenfestinstitute.org every day, but the news today is a good reminder of why the Institute's nonprofit structure is so valuable and important
Read @jimfriedlich.bsky.social's essay from last fall on the Institute's nonprofit ownership of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
"Our unique business structure will ensure that @inquirer.com can report and express its editorial views without fear or favor"
www.lenfestinstitute.org/solutions-re...
"Our unique business structure will ensure that @inquirer.com can report and express its editorial views without fear or favor"
www.lenfestinstitute.org/solutions-re...
Endorsing a different kind of newspaper ownership
The Philadelphia Inquirer is operated independently from The Lenfest Institute, giving it the freedom to make its own editorial decisions.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
February 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I'm glad to work at @lenfestinstitute.org every day, but the news today is a good reminder of why the Institute's nonprofit structure is so valuable and important
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Want to build a thriving news ecosystem in your community? We’re here to help. We’re proud of our work building a local news ecosystem here in Philadelphia, and we’re sharing tips for other cities as part of a new series from the Knight Communities Network ⬇️
Want to build a thriving news ecosystem? We’re here to help
A new series sharing practical lessons on building a thriving news ecosystem from the Knight Communities Network.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
February 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Want to build a thriving news ecosystem in your community? We’re here to help. We’re proud of our work building a local news ecosystem here in Philadelphia, and we’re sharing tips for other cities as part of a new series from the Knight Communities Network ⬇️
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
"As fellow Philadelphia newspaper publisher Benjamin Franklin said, 'We must hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately.'"
As the Trump administration ramps up its attacks on journalists, it’s time for news organizations to adopt the belief that “an attack on one is an attack on all” and band together to fight back, writes Lenfest Institute CEO and Executive Director Jim Friedlich for @inquirer.com
Amid intensifying assaults on the press, is it time for a 'NATO for news'? | Opinion
To protect the free press in America, we need to agree that "an attack on one is an attack on all."
www.inquirer.com
February 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"As fellow Philadelphia newspaper publisher Benjamin Franklin said, 'We must hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately.'"
my favorite @lenfestinstitute.org tradition: local news valentines
This Valentine’s Day, fall for that special someone — not for pink slime journalism. We’re proud to show love for local publishers today and always. 💘🌹💌😘
Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at The Lenfest Institute 💝
Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at The Lenfest Institute 💝
February 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
my favorite @lenfestinstitute.org tradition: local news valentines
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
Joel Simon of @newmarkjplus.bsky.social’s Journalism Protection Initiative is sounding the alarm in @columjournreview.bsky.social: It’s time for newsrooms to band together to prepare for an onslaught of threats to the free press by the Trump administration.
Preparing for the Onslaught
Journalists need to come to terms with our new reality.
www.cjr.org
February 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Joel Simon of @newmarkjplus.bsky.social’s Journalism Protection Initiative is sounding the alarm in @columjournreview.bsky.social: It’s time for newsrooms to band together to prepare for an onslaught of threats to the free press by the Trump administration.
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
All legitimate, self-respecting, White House reporters should boycott events until the Associated Press, one of our most important institutions, is allowed back in. This is outrageous.
Associated Press: “Today we were informed by the White House that if AP did not align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, AP would be barred from accessing an event in the Oval Office.“
February 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
All legitimate, self-respecting, White House reporters should boycott events until the Associated Press, one of our most important institutions, is allowed back in. This is outrageous.
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
In partnership with @knightfdn.bsky.social, we’re launching the Knight Communities Network, a new peer-to-peer learning environment to support local journalism funders working to build sustainable news ecosystems in their communities as part of #PressForward.
Lenfest Institute and Knight Foundation launch Knight Communities Network to support local journalism funders
The Knight Communities Network will support local journalism funders working to build news ecosystems and establish Press Forward chapters.
www.lenfestinstitute.org
February 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In partnership with @knightfdn.bsky.social, we’re launching the Knight Communities Network, a new peer-to-peer learning environment to support local journalism funders working to build sustainable news ecosystems in their communities as part of #PressForward.
Reposted by Joseph Lichterman
A couple weeks ago, I published a story on a network of AI-generated local newsletters quietly operating in 47 states across the U.S.
Today, @niemanlab.org published a database of all the Good Daily newsletters we've identified so far –– over 300 of them. www.niemanlab.org/2025/02/the-...
Today, @niemanlab.org published a database of all the Good Daily newsletters we've identified so far –– over 300 of them. www.niemanlab.org/2025/02/the-...
The (nearly) full list of Good Daily’s AI-generated local newsletters
Nieman Lab’s public database of the AI newsletter network operating in over 300 towns and cities across the U.S.
www.niemanlab.org
February 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
A couple weeks ago, I published a story on a network of AI-generated local newsletters quietly operating in 47 states across the U.S.
Today, @niemanlab.org published a database of all the Good Daily newsletters we've identified so far –– over 300 of them. www.niemanlab.org/2025/02/the-...
Today, @niemanlab.org published a database of all the Good Daily newsletters we've identified so far –– over 300 of them. www.niemanlab.org/2025/02/the-...