Emersonians Tell Community Stories Through Hyperlocal News Initiative

No experience is like real-world experience, and that’s what Emerson journalism students are gaining from the College’s hyperlocal news initiative that was launched this summer. 

The program is unique because it offers students the opportunity to report at local news outlets – and get paid. Emerson has partnered with Cambridge Day and The Bay State Banner, two local news organizations. Students receive $3,500 to $4,000 thanks to donor funds from Emerson throughout the 12-week internship. This opportunity not only provides hands-on experience for students but also supports local news organizations by easing a financial cost of paying an intern. 

“Hyperlocal news is essential to journalism because people need to know what’s happening in their own communities,” said Journalism Department Chair Lu Ann Reeb. “Whether it’s taxes, new schools or road construction, that kind of news matters to people.”

Amyah Bishop ’27 couldn’t agree more. Growing up in a small town, she had an interest in serving the community with her own writing. 

“I saw homelessness growing in my town and never saw it covered in our paper. I wanted to change that,” Bishop said. She started interning for the The Bay State Banner this semester, which plays a vital role in amplifying the voices of Boston’s Black and minority communities.

Bishop quickly jumped in to cover local organization Extinction Rebellion’s trip, travelling with the group to New York City to participate in the Make Billionaires Pay.

“Interviewing people in person and learning how to listen actively has been my biggest takeaway so far,” Bishop said. “It’s taught me how stories can connect people within the same community.”

As an Emerson alum, Bay State Banner Co-Owner Ron Mitchell ’83, has always been interested in working with students.

“…I know personally how great the quality of journalism and education is at the College,” said Mitchell. The partnership came to fruition after speaking with Reeb, with whom he worked when they were both at WBZ-TV.

Mitchell loves Bishop’s positive attitude and eagerness to cover community stories, and said she’s on her way to being a seasoned journalist. He also hopes to work with more Emerson interns in the future to focus on journalism, as well as marketing and multimedia production.

“This is a great chance to give a student real time lessons in the value of a free press and also provide the paper with some additional writing support, which is always a need in a small community paper,” said Mitchell. 

Reeb agrees and is looking forward to growing the College’s relationship with the Banner and other local news organizations.  

“Working for a small, hyperlocal newsroom gives students the chance to actually write, report, and publish stories right away — something you might not get to do at a large organization,” Reeb said.