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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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.
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.