Facebook project aims to shrink news deserts

Map by Facebook; click the image to enlarge it.

Facebook has a new feature called Today In, which seeks to connect users to local news and discussion, but many places in the U.S. don't have enough local news sources to launch the service. These news deserts have been expanding for the past 25 years, according to Penny Abernathy of the University of North Carolina, who studies the trend.

In an effort to shrink news deserts, Facebook announced this week a pilot program called the Facebook Journalism Project Community Network, which supports projects to build community through local news. "Launching with an open call for applications in early May, the FJP Community Network will be offering grants and opportunities for expert support," Jimmy O'Keefe and Josh Mabry write for Facebook. "Whether a publisher is trying to build a new business around memberships, report in an underserved community, or build a tool that helps local storytellers find and engage news audiences — we want to provide runway for them to serve their community. Grant recipients will be connected to Facebook’s community of Accelerator alumni as well as to fellow grant awardees, establishing a network of experts and resources for continued support."