<\/p>\n
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies celebrated its golden anniversary on 10 November, honouring half a century of shaping journalism around the world. <\/p>\n
Born of the vision of Nelson Poynter, the editor and owner of the then St Petersburg Times, the institute was created to safeguard editorial independence by placing his newspaper under nonprofit ownership. That pioneering move in 1975 laid the foundation for an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical journalism and serving democracy through a free and trusted press.<\/p>\n
Neil Brown, its president, said the institute remains \u201cfuture-focused,\u201d committed to defending the role of independent journalism at a time when it faces profound challenges. His mantra \u2013 \u201cto lead, not lament\u201d \u2013 captures Poynter\u2019s approach to strengthening news quality and rebuilding public trust.<\/p>\n
The institute\u2019s influence spans a broad portfolio of initiatives that support newsrooms, protect press freedom and combat misinformation. It assists public radio and television stations struggling with reduced funding, helping them build sustainable digital revenue and ethical newsroom leadership. Its Press Freedom Watch database tracks government actions that could threaten journalistic independence, while free legal and research webinars help reporters navigate growing restrictions on access to information.<\/p>\n
Poynter also invests in the next generation of journalists. A youth programme teaches students to produce long-form vertical video stories for online audiences, extending the reach of its media literacy mission alongside its flagship MediaWise project. Since its launch in 2018, MediaWise has taught millions to distinguish fact from falsehood, most recently through Moments of Truth, a travelling museum exhibition exploring journalism\u2019s role in democracy.<\/p>\n
Fact-checking remains central to Poynter\u2019s work. PolitiFact, the Pulitzer-winning operation it has hosted since 2018, continues to tackle misinformation on health and science, while the International Fact-Checking Network \u2013 also based at Poynter \u2013 has distributed more than $8 million in grants to fact-checkers worldwide.<\/p>\n
The institute is now applying its educational expertise to artificial intelligence. Through a partnership with the Patrick J McGovern Foundation, MediaWise launched an AI literacy initiative that turns libraries into hubs of learning about the technology. Earlier this year, it collaborated with PBS News Student Reporting Labs on AI Unlocked, a video series teaching teenagers how to spot and understand AI-generated content.<\/p>\n
To mark its anniversary, Poynter introduced a membership scheme offering supporters exclusive access to events and resources, and established 10 November as \u201cPoynter Day\u201d, an annual celebration of press freedom and the institute\u2019s mission. It aims to raise $50,000 by the end of 2025 to fund new programmes and innovations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriends of Poynter know we put their donations to good use, by providing low- and no-cost training to thousands of journalists and by supporting programmes that create a healthier information ecosystem,\u201d said Aaron Sharockman, its vice-president.<\/p>\n