'Radically Rural' N.H. summit including journalism sessions announces panels and new, affordable pricing scheme

Radically Rural, the two-day national summit that features sessions on community journalism, is offering a big program and a new pricing scheme that allows journalists to determine their admission price, based on their ability to afford attendance, for as little as no charge up to the full price of $175. There are a limited number of free tickets to the event Sept. 27-28 in Keene, N.H.

With a theme of “How did they do that?” two journalism sessions will focus on news organizations that have built sustainability in various ways, including philanthropy, custom publishing, digital readership and membership. A third will look at some great journalism produced by rural newsrooms.

Terrence Williams

“We want to make this is as affordable as possible for journalists to attend, particularly those stressed by the challenging revenue markets facing their organizations and the cost of travel,” said organizer Terrence L. Williams, senior adviser for audience and community development for The Keene Sentinel. The locally owned daily newspaper partners with the local Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship for Radically Rural, which features solutions-based sessions for small communities on seven tracks: community journalism, land use, downtowns, health care, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and clean energy. Here's the community journalism program:

Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Building sustainability. The demise of local journalism in rural America has received national attention, but many small news organizations are thriving. Panelists: Joey Young, majority owner, Kansas Publishing Ventures; Chris Baker, publisher, Taos News; and Tristan Scott, managing editor, The Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, Mont. Moderator: Terry Williams.

Sept. 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: The Fourth Estate. Jeremiah Ariaz, an art professor at Louisiana State University, spent months in Kansas documenting in photography the state of more than 100 rural newspapers. In a moving, nostalgic presentation, he presents the fears and hopes for democracy in communities left without a paper or clinging to what they have. Lunch provided.

Sept. 27, 2-3:30 p.m.: Generating audience revenue. Successful rural news organizations, for-profit and not, are building revenue through fundraising, membership and paid readership. Panelists: Arik Ligeti, director of audience, The Narwhal, online nonprofit, Victoria, B.C.; Christiaan Mader, founder/editor, The Current, Lafayette, La. Moderator: Shay Totten, newsroom success manager, American Press Institute.

Thursday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Groundbreaking journalism. A deep dive into how three newsrooms reported powerful stories that have deeply impacted the rural communities they cover. Panelists: Victoria Bouloubasis, journalist and filmmaker, Durham, N.C.; Adam Ganucheau, editor-in-chief, Mississippi Today; Samantha Hogan, investigative reporter, The Maine Monitor. Moderator: Jack Rooney, managing editor, audience development, The Keene Sentinel.

To register to attend or learn more about the programming, go to www.radicallyrural.org