BALTIMORE BANNER LAUNCHES LOCALLY-OWNED NON-PROFIT DIGITAL NEWS PUBLICATION
Baltimore Banner’s cross-platform news operation will cover a wide range of topics from local government to education, culture and the arts and criminal justice
BALTIMORE, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Baltimore Banner, a multi-platform news organization created by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, today announced the launch of its digital news publication. The publication will bring trusted, locally owned information to the community as part of its work to develop a sustainable business model for local news.
At the end of last year, Maryland businessman Stewart Bainum, Jr. and his family announced the creation of the Venetoulis Institute of Local Journalism, with the goal of launching The Baltimore Banner in the summer of 2022. Today, The Banner has 42 journalists on staff who will provide solution-based reporting covering the state and local government, arts and culture, criminal justice and education. The Banner expects to have around 70 reporters and editors by the end of the year, making it the largest newsroom in Maryland.
“We created the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism to invigorate local news through nonprofit ownership and to bring trusted, local news to the Baltimore region,” said Stewart Bainum, Jr., President. “I know Ted would be extremely proud of today’s launch of The Baltimore Banner, but he would also say that our work has only just begun. I am grateful to the collective team, countless supporters and talented professional journalists for their tireless efforts and commitment to publishing over the past few months. The work we do has never been more important to our community and our democracy.
“Our growing team of journalists has already begun to cover stories that matter to the people of Baltimore and the region,” said Kimi Yoshino, Editor-in-Chief. “As part of our mission, our reporting will go deeper as we examine and re-examine issues, seek solutions, and shine a light on art and lifestyle stories that will help strengthen and inspire our community.”
“While today is the culmination of a two-year journey to bring a news organization to Baltimore which tells the varied stories of its different communities, it also marks the first day of a long journey towards sustainability,” said Imtiaz Patel, Managing Director, Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. “Thanks to Stewart’s generous donation, we can begin to make an immediate impact with a large-scale newsroom. How well we serve the communities of Baltimore will be how we judge our success.”
In addition to staffing seasoned journalists such as Justin Fenton, Liz Bowie and Tim PrudentChief Editor Andrea K. McDaniels and deputy editor Richard MartinThe Banner has established a “Creatives in Residence” program, which aims to amplify the work of artists and writers from Baltimore region, and will feature work by D. Watkins, Kondwani Fidel, Kerry Grahamand mikea hugleyamong others.
The Banner’s launch comes nearly a month after announcing a co-operating agreement with Your Public Radio (WYPR) 88.1FM, Baltimore’s NPR news station that will allow nonprofits to work collaboratively to deliver quality journalism across the state.
Subscribe to The Baltimore Banner and check out the latest cover at www.thebaltimorebanner.com.
About the Baltimore Banner
The Baltimore Banner is a cross-platform news operation, covering a wide range of topics from local government to culture and the arts. The Baltimore banner was created by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 to bring high-quality local journalism to the Baltimore subway station.
Contact:
Rick Abbruzzese
410-790-5002
[email protected]
SOURCE The Baltimore Banner
