Microsoft Journalism Hub
We're sharing tools from across Microsoft and our partners that can help rebuild capacity in local news ecosystems, restore trust in news, and reduce risks.
Supporting journalists and newsrooms
Healthy democracies require healthy news ecosystems. Technology has played a role in the disruption of news, but it can also be an important part of the rebuilding effort. Microsoft, and its Democracy Forward program, provide a host of tools and services to help journalists and newsrooms achieve more.
Rebuild capacity
In partnership with newsrooms, community foundations, and other civic leaders and organizations, we’re experimenting with new, hybrid operating models with the goal of providing valuable insight into sustainable solutions that can be deployed at scale across the world.
Restore trust
To restore trust, we’ll need to use a combination of tools and technologies to counter deep fakes and other online disinformation. Our goal is to promote digital media literacy education that provides the framework for finding, consuming, and sharing trusted, fact-based news and information.
Reduce risk
Journalists around the world are increasingly subject to physical, cyber and legal attacks—especially reporters covering conflict, governmental abuses, and corruption. To enhance their safety, cloud computing, AI, AccountGuard, and a pro bono legal support program are crucial tools.
How will AI transform the newsroom of the future?
Microsoft, in collaboration with Semafor, The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, The Online News Association, The GroundTruth Project, and Nota, are partnering with journalists and newsrooms to deploy AI responsibly in newsgathering and business practices to help build sustainable newsrooms.
Rebuild capacity
Announcing the AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, OpenAI, and Microsoft announced efforts to help newsrooms explore and implement ways in which artificial intelligence can help drive business sustainability and innovation in local journalism through the Lenfest Institute AI Collaborative and Fellowship program.
Turning the lights back on in news deserts
Check out Northwestern University Medill School’s animated map highlighting where news deserts across the country are opening new news outlets or reinventing legacy outlets with Microsoft technology’s support.
Journalism Guidebook for rebuilding scalable solutions
Learn about sustainable business practices from the new Microsoft Journalism Guidebook, a functional guide for communities rebuilding scalable local news and information ecosystems. Explore our interactive map to find tailored solutions for your newsroom.
Data visualization
Apply to work with the Enlighten Designs team to add additional capacity to your newsroom and bring your readers deeper into your news stories through high quality data visualization.
Microsoft 365 for Journalists
Increase the efficiency and reach of the newsroom by leveraging apps, training videos, and tools that maximize your Microsoft 365 experience to improve your research, reporting, and reach to your community.
LinkedIn for Journalists
Increase your social media reach and engagement by accessing LinkedIn’s free premium level content and trainings for journalists.
Technology discounts for nonprofit newsrooms
Gain access to technology grants and free custom-built Microsoft software solutions to manage your business, increase your capacity, and reduce costs for your nonprofit newsroom.
Power BI training for data journalism
Improve your storytelling and increase your audience reach by enrolling in free training to bring your data alive through powerful data visualization tools.
AI tools to expand reach and impact
Nota brings AI-enabled tools to publishers, particularly small or medium sized minority-owned publishers or those located near news deserts, that help cut pain points and build efficiency. Nota’s tools help publishers and journalists focus on creating and sharing meaningful content.
Local News AI
Check out the Associated Press’ Local News AI, a two-year initiative helping U.S. local newsrooms identify and adopt artificial intelligence-based solutions.
AI adoption for newsrooms
Partnership on AI (PAI), as part of the Knight Foundation’s AI and Local News Initiative, has been working with organizations and individuals to explore how journalists can ethically adopt AI. "AI Adoption for Newsrooms: A 10-Step Guide" is the latest addition to PAI’s AI and Local News Toolkit.
Restore trust
Expanding Medill Bright Spots
Microsoft supported the development of the “Bright Spots” map, which identifies promising local news outlets across the U.S. This initiative is part of the Medill Local News Initiative’s efforts to highlight successful local news startups. The map was created to showcase these “Bright Spots” and provide insights into their operations, aiming to inspire and guide other local news ventures.
Microsoft Start
Microsoft Start connects millions of readers and viewers every day to their hometowns and the world around them through compelling high-quality stories. Syndicate your stories alongside the world's top publishers to benefit from our reach and expand your business.
Reduce risk
AccountGuard for Journalists
Provide an extra layer of security and peace-of-mind to your Microsoft 365 service with the free add-on from Democracy Forward.
Protect journalists’ private data
Learn more about Microsoft’s investment in helping local journalists under threat remove their personal information from online sources through providing free DeleteMe licenses, in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Pro bono legal services
U.S. organizations can gain no-cost legal help with prepublication review and public records access through Microsoft, Davis Wright Tremaine, The Knight Foundation, and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’ ProJourn program.
Clooney Foundation TrialWatch
Find resources for persecuted journalists and newsrooms under threat who do not have access to the legal services through Clooney Foundation’s TrialWatch.
TrustLaw’s global legal support
Learn more about Microsoft and Thomson Reuters Foundation's TrustLaw offering providing global legal support to journalists and newsrooms.
Democracy depends on information literacy
Microsoft is committed to strengthening news and media literacy because of the central role it plays in a healthy information ecosystem. We firmly believe that information literacy is essential and critical to preserving and strengthening democracy.
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about the Microsoft journalism initiative or any of the corresponding programs, including the local news pilot program for community foundations, newsrooms, and higher educational institutions, please contact us.
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