12-May-20 – They are as diverse as Chicago, but the city’s independent media outlets have one thing in common – declining revenue, even as demand for news increases. A month-long fundraising campaign will try to help the 43 outlets. It is a collaboration the group admits is “unprecedented.”

The campaign is coordinated by Chicago Independent Media Alliance, a project launched in 2019 by Chicago Reader. The goal of CIMA is to strengthen the local media landscape through grants, advertising, and collaborative editorial projects.

“We who are in independent media find ourselves in a unique and dangerous economic situation,” said Tracy Baim (left), publisher of Chicago Reader. “In response to COVID-19, national news outlets are tallying death tolls and assessing the situation globally. While that coverage is important, it leaves the average citizen confused and unsure of how to proceed within their community.”

The group includes for-profit and nonprofit organizations, collectively covering all of Chicago and nearby suburbs. When the outlets met on February 6, there was consensus that advertising revenue is declining and the people who consume the news do not want to pay, either. At the same time, many outlets say they are short-staffed and cannot afford to do more investigative reporting of topics such as health, environment, and politics.

“Local media outlets deliver authentic, community-driven journalism, reporting on the stories that matter most for communities largely affected by this – and future – health crises,” said Yazmin Dominguez, CIMA project coordinator. “Unfortunately, community media outlets are not getting the resources they need and are thus facing the real possibility of closure. This includes media serving African American, Latinx, Asian American, immigrant, LGBTQ, and other Chicago communities.”

(Right) A smaller group discussion at the February 6 meeting of Chicago Independent Media Alliance.

Through June 5, anyone wishing to donate may give one amount to be split among all of the outlets, or select specific outlets, including Loop North News.