Letter to the editor: VCCF supports local journalism

The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) extends heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the California Journalism Awards, presented by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. We are particularly proud of the achievements within Ventura County, especially applauding Tony Biasotti and Dua Anjum from the Ventura County Star, who received three first-place awards and one first-place honor, respectively.

Since April 2022, thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors, VCCF has supported two reporting fellowships at the Ventura County Star and one at the Pacific Coast Business Times. These grants enable investigative journalists to delve deeply into enterprise and investigative reporting, focusing on critical issues within Ventura County. Utilizing data, public records, and other investigative tools, these fellows uncover stories that enhance community understanding and engagement. Their reporting aims to highlight the challenges faced by everyday residents, amplify the voices of the underserved and underrepresented, and strengthen democracy. The investigative articles these fellows write are available at no cost to anyone in our community so that all have access to the vital information.

VCCF’s Fund to Support Local Journalism underscores our commitment to preserving local news outlets. A recent study by Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism reports that the disappearance of local newspapers has accelerated, with an average of 2.5 papers closing each week in 2023 alone. Furthermore, over half of U.S. counties now lack any local news source.

Local journalism plays a crucial role in informing the community about our political, environmental, and social landscapes. It is also a critical defense against the spread of disinformation, thus protecting our democracy.

To date, VCCF has allocated $220,000 to this vital initiative and plans to contribute more very soon. We are committed to championing this cause and are grateful to the community for recognizing its value. Supporting the exceptional work of our local journalists is not just a duty but an honor.

Vanessa Bechtel, President & CEO, Ventura County Community Foundation

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letter to the editor: VCCF supports local journalism