The Institute's Mission
The Institute’s focus is to help sustain journalism in rural communities, through information, expertise, training, outreach and other programs.
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IRJ collaborates with stakeholders to help Appalachian news outlets
The Institute for Rural Journalism, in collaboration with Press Forward Appalachia and the Rural News Fund, will provide advice and support for eight news organizations awarded capital and resource investment awards of up to $100,000 each. IRJ will help awardees build a foundation that expands news coverage in underserved areas and news deserts.
The Mountain Citizen of Inez, Ky., wins the 2025 Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism
A scrappy little newspaper that has fought for more than 30 years for clean water and open government in its Appalachian county is the winner of the 2025 Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism.
Reporter Bill Estep wins Al Smith Award for community journalism, recognizing 40 years of Appalachian stories
Bill Estep, who chronicled the stories of Appalachian Kentucky and its communities for more than 40 years, is the 2025 winner of the Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism by a Kentuckian.