Green Bay Packers Give Back, Nicolet Bank, Press Times partner for local journalism’s future | The Press
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers Give Back, Nicolet National Bank, and the Green Bay Press TImes are partnering on a program to support local educational institutions in training the next generation of journalists and fostering the community news environment. This initiative addresses the alarming need for quality reporters of local news.
According to “Report for America,” a national service program that places emerging journalists into local newsrooms, “The number of reporters in the country has declined 60 percent since 2000, a job loss similar in scale to the coal industry.”
“Despite declining employment, about 4,900 openings for news analysts, reporters, and journalists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire,” the report stated.
The Packers said that community support has been a key to their success throughout history and it was a natural for Packers Give Back to support the initiative.
“The Packers are committed to our community that has supported us for more than 100 years,” said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “This program will nurture the next generation of journalists. High-quality journalism is crucial to a well-informed community that contributes to its collective success and enriched quality of life.”
Nicolet National Bank President and CEO Mike Daniels said that the goals of the program fit right into their company’s focus.
“Since Nicolet’s founding twenty-two years ago, we have always focused on local – local people meeting local needs with local resources. Pat Wood’s idea of teaching the next generation about journalism is vital to meeting the needs of our communities. I have repeatedly seen the tremendous value that a great reporter and newspaper can bring to a community,” Daniels said.
“We are honored to further our partnership with the Press Times and to start new and exciting partnerships with Packers Give Back by supporting the Pass It Forward program.”
This spring, six student interns from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) and three St. Norbert College (SNC) interns will receive real-world experience in the newsroom at the Green Bay Press Times, through copy editing and the creation of editorial content with a focus on the community. Interns will also complete the “Earn Your Press Pass” course in association with the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Networking and real-world experience will provide a funnel for qualified young reporters to enter community journalism.
Read the full article below.
