A free skill-building webinar for news publishers
We are starting to nail down plans for our 2026 What Works webinar, “Audience, AI and Events,” which will be aimed at practical skills for local news publishers. This free, all-day event will be held on Thursday, May 21. We envision a series of interactive workshops facilitated by leaders in their fields. Here’s what it looks like so far:
▶ 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. Welcome from Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy, co-leaders of What Works and co-authors of “What Works in Community News: Media Startups, News Deserts, and the Future of the Fourth Estate.”
▶ 8:30 to 10 a.m. Audience development and engagement with Emily Turner, deputy editor of community at Boston.com.
▶ 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. AI skills for local news organizations with Dr. John Wihbey, associate professor of journalism and media innovation at Northeastern University.
▶ Noon to 1 p.m. Keynote address by Dan Lothian, editor-in-chief and general manager of local news at GBH and professor of the practice in Northeastern’s School of Journalism. Dan will be in conversation with Lee Hill, executive editor of GBH News. They will be introduced by Jonathan Kaufman, director of the School of Journalism.
▶ 1:30 to 3 p.m. Event planning for building community with Iris Adler, veteran broadcast news executive and a board member at Brookline.News.
▶ 3:00 to 3:15 p.m. Wrapping things up with Ellen and Dan.
The webinar will be live on Zoom. Watch this space for information about how to register and take part.