Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Directions Website Contact the organization

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative The hub for local news in and for the Central Valley We are restoring a vibrant, local free press, starting with the Central Valley.

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative is a non-profit model that succeeds through philanthropic support and community ownership. CVJC collaborates with local newsrooms to fund journalists through a sustainable revenue share model that safeguards philanthropic investments and protects jobs in Journalism. CVJC hires local journalists, local journalists write for local newsrooms to represent the stories and voices of the Central Valley’s richly diverse communities. This is an innovative approach, a new ecosystem that we believe has the power to preserve, revive, and nurture independent local news everywhere.

09/22/2026

Earlier this month, at least a dozen journalists lost their jobs at The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee and The Record in Stockton. Many of them are friends and former colleagues. They have covered our communities for years, and I stand with them and with the people still doing the work in those newsrooms.

When news organizations shrink, the work of government does not. I was thinking about this after a robust discussion about First Amendment issues at last week's Constitution Day forum hosted by Jim Boren and the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust. City councils still meet, school boards still make decisions that impact students and families, and water districts still set rates and policies that impact the Valley's ag economy. The Valley deserves to have coverage that asks tough questions, even if those stories aren't as big a pageview hit as a viral post about a new restaurant opening. Good journalism keeps everyone honest and working for the collective good and is an essential part of democracy. It is civic infrastructure. This is why Central Valley Journalism Collaborative exists: so there's no vacuum when legacy media pulls back because of economic pressure.

CVJC is the hub for local news in and for the Central Valley. We produce original journalism through The Merced FOCUS, The Modesto Focus and The Intersection. We support journalists and newsrooms across the region through funding partnerships, fellowships and training. And we advocate for what the Valley's news ecosystem needs, including bringing newsrooms, educators and funders together. Our next Journalism and Media Education Network (JAMEN) Summit is at California State University, Stanislaus Friday, and on Oct. 27 we are hosting the Press Forward Central Valley Journalism Summit at University of California, Merced. Both are free events.

Part of that advocacy is AB 2222, the Community NEWS Act, which would give California newsrooms (commercial and nonprofit) a tax credit for the local journalists they employ. It passed the Legislature with bipartisan supermajorities, and Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign it. It does nothing for the people cut this month. It would make the next round less likely. Governor Newsom, please sign it.

Next week, I'm gathering with our board to discuss our work with a focus on what the entire Valley news ecosystem needs, not only our own newsrooms. If you have ideas, I want to hear them. And if you were affected by the recent cuts, reach out to me at [email protected]. Our First Amendment Reporting Fellowship is open, and we have freelance opportunities.

-Joe Kieta, Executive Director
Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Thursday was Constitution Day – and what better way to mark the occasion than a timely discussion of The First Amendment...
09/18/2026

Thursday was Constitution Day – and what better way to mark the occasion than a timely discussion of The First Amendment?

A captive audience gathered at the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State for the lively conversation titled "The First Amendment Under Fire." Panelists spoke and answered questions about media access and the public's right to know amid increasing pressure on constitutional rights at local and national levels.

Panelists included CVJC's own Marijke Rowland, editor of The Modesto Focus, Ginny LaRoe, advocacy director of The First Amendment Coalition; and Angelica Salceda, program director of the Democracy, Speech and Technology Project at the ACLU Foundation of Northern California.

Jim Boren, director of the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust, moderated the discussion.

Event sponsors included KVPR, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, ACLU of Northern California, First Amendment Coalition and Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT UNDER FIREA timely discussion of the power and peril of free expression in a polarized society. Joe ...
09/17/2026

THE FIRST AMENDMENT UNDER FIRE

A timely discussion of the power and peril of free expression in a polarized society. Joe Kieta of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative will introduce the panel, and there will be time for audience questions.

Date: Constitution Day, September 17
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Smittcamp Alumni House, Fresno State
Free and open to the public.

Join us for a timely conversation exploring the power and peril of free expression in a polarized society.Joe Kieta of t...
09/09/2026

Join us for a timely conversation exploring the power and peril of free expression in a polarized society.

Joe Kieta of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative will introduce the panel, followed by a discussion and time for audience questions.

📅 September 17 — Constitution Day
⏰ 5:00 p.m.
📍 Smittcamp Alumni House, Fresno State
🎟️ Free and open to the public.

Come listen, ask questions and join the conversation about one of the foundations of our democracy.

🔗 For more information, visit the link: https://lnkd.in/eQHb77Rq

Journalists face real threats to their digital security — and most of us weren’t trained to deal with them. Surveillance...
05/27/2026

Journalists face real threats to their digital security — and most of us weren’t trained to deal with them. Surveillance, hacked email accounts, exposed sources, location tracking: the risks are serious, and the tools to address them are more accessible than you might think.

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative is hosting a free webinar to help journalists understand and address these threats and to come away with practical steps they can immediately implement.

Cybersecurity for Journalists Wednesday, May 27 | 10–11 a.m.

Topics include encrypted messaging, email security, Google, location tracking and surveillance, VPNs, browser security, source protection, AI, and data retention.

Our presenter, Ethan Gregory Dodge, is a cybersecurity professional who found his way into journalism a decade ago. He has spent years protecting sensitive sources while holding powerful organizations to account — and he loves teaching others how to do the same.

This webinar is free and open to all. Link in bio.

Address

700 Van Ness Avenue Suite 203
Merced, CA
93721

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Central Valley Journalism Collaborative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Central Valley Journalism Collaborative:

Shortcuts

Share

Category