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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Nominations sought for the Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism by June 1
The Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky seek nominations for the Al Smith Award by Monday, June 1, 2026.
Save October 22 for community journalism and the Al Smith Awards Dinner 2026
The Institute for Rural Journalism invites you to reserve October 22, 2026, to support and celebrate excellence in community journalism.
IRJ to participate at 2026 Kiplinger fellowship event on saving local news
Professor Benjy Hamm, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism, will participate as a speaker and mentor at the 2026 Kiplinger “Saving Local News: A Practical Guide” fellowship weekend for professional journalists on May 11-14 at the E.W. Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University.