By taking a comprehensive approach to the contemporary challenges of urban reporting, City Bureau aims to create a bridge between the ideals of civic journalism and the economic and political realities in which it exists.
City Bureau trains young community journalists to improve coverage of disenfranchised and underreported neighborhoods.
How does it work?
City Bureau recruits journalists at all skill levels to mentor one another in a collaborative learning process, with community input every step of the way. Each cycle we choose a subject matter that has a wide-ranging impact on people living in the South and West Sides of Chicago: including policing, schools, housing, environmentalism, criminal justice, politics and urban development.
Tier 1: High school or college age media-makers of with interest in storytelling and civic engagement.
Tier 2: College-age or young adults with some journalism training and a thirst for professional experience.
Tier 3: Early-career professionals with experience in community-centric journalism and expertise in civic issues.
City Bureau aims to give participants essential training and experience to become media professionals:
On-the-job training, from generating story ideas to writing and editing
Understanding of 21st century media landscape
Published clips in mainstream outlets
Opportunity to pursue alternative storytelling skills
Where is the work published?
City Bureau works with editors at local and national news outlets to co-publish content online and in print. Working with mainstream media outlets helps amplify the hard work of City Bureau journalists and provides opportunities for new voices to impact the broader narrative on a variety of vital issues. See our “Articles” section above for a full list of stories published in partnership with local and national outlets, including:
Chicago Reader
The Guardian
DNAinfo Chicago
Chicago Defender
