SUNY launched the Institute for Local News to engage a dozen student reporting programs across the state, including Stony Brook, the University at Buffalo and the University at Albany, to produce local news content. Faculty direct and edit content produced by student journalists for local media partners. The Institute deployed its first cohort of 20 paid undergraduate journalism interns into established newsrooms this summer and plans to scale internships in 2026. Goals include mobilizing students to report in undercovered places, instilling civic service, and providing meaningful experiential learning. New York experienced a 40 percent decline in newspaper publications from 2004 to 2019; university research shows thousands of student journalists help fill coverage gaps.
Last year SUNY launched the Institute for Local News, engaging a dozen student reporting programs at colleges across the state-including Stony Brook University, the University at Buffalo and the University at Albany-to produce local news content. Faculty direct and edit content produced by student journalists for local media partners. This summer, the Institute sent its first cohort of journalism interns out into the field, offering 20 undergraduates paid roles in established newsrooms.
The background: The Institute for Local News has a few goals, SUNY chancellor John B. King told Inside Higher Ed: to mobilize students to engage in local news reporting in places that otherwise may not be covered, to instill students with a sense of civic service and to provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities. News deserts, or areas that lack news sources, can impact community members' ability to stay informed about their region.
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