Shaping the Future of Local News, Together
The 10 Points Unconference was a unique opportunity for journalists, editors, and media executives to meet, discuss, and collaboratively craft a roadmap for the future of media, one issue at a time. The first edition was devoted to local news.
10 Points on Local Journalism
Forty journalism professionals from around ten countries gathered in Catania to co-create a ten-point manifesto for the future of local journalism. Presented at the close of the 7th edition of Il giornalismo che verrà – Festival del Giornalismo Mediterraneo, the document reaffirms the core values the profession must reclaim to remain relevant and impactful.
The process was guided by internationally respected media leaders, including
Laura Silvia Battaglia
Journalist and documentary filmmaker with extensive experience reporting from conflict zones and local communities in Iraq and Yemen.
Lars Boering
Lars Boering is Director of the European Journalism Centre and former Managing Director of World Press Photo Foundation.
Richard Gingras
Former Vice President of News at Google. Today, he serves as Chair of the Board of Village Media and as a board member of CNTI.
Mehdi Lebouachera
Global Editor in Chief at Agence France-Presse (AFP). He previously served as Chief Editor for Asia-Pacific and Global Chief Video Editor.
Lisa MacLeod
Director at FT Strategies, she works closely with news organizations on digital growth, reader revenue, and organizational transformation.
Amy Mitchell
Executive Director of the Centre for News Technology Innovation (CNTI). Formerly director of journalism research at Pew Research Center.
Cheryl Phillips
Founder of Big Local News and Advanced Lecturer in Journalism at Stanford University.
Forty journalism professionals from around ten countries gathered in Catania to co-create a ten-point manifesto for the future of local journalism. Presented at the close of the 7th edition of Il giornalismo che verrà – Festival del Giornalismo Mediterraneo, the document reaffirms the core values the profession must reclaim to remain relevant and impactful.
The process was guided by internationally respected media leaders, including
Laura Silvia Battaglia
Journalist and documentary filmmaker with extensive experience reporting from conflict zones and local communities in Iraq and Yemen.
Lars Boering
Lars Boering is Director of the European Journalism Centre and former Managing Director of World Press Photo Foundation.
Richard Gingras
Former Vice President of News at Google. Today, he serves as Chair of the Board of Village Media and as a board member of CNTI.
Mehdi Lebouachera
Global Editor in Chief at Agence France-Presse (AFP). He previously served as Chief Editor for Asia-Pacific and Global Chief Video Editor.
Lisa MacLeod
Director at FT Strategies, she works closely with news organizations on digital growth, reader revenue, and organizational transformation.
Amy Mitchell
Executive Director of the Centre for News Technology Innovation (CNTI). Formerly director of journalism research at Pew Research Center.
Cheryl Phillips
Founder of Big Local News and Advanced Lecturer in Journalism at Stanford University.
40 participants, 3 days of event, 10 points
Gathered significant experiences in journalism, identified challenges, and proposed concrete solutions — this was the goal of the “10 Points Unconference on Local Journalism,” an event aimed at journalists, editors, and media executives.
Over the course of three days, in Catania (Sicily) from June 5 to 7, 2025, 40 selected participants took part in Unconference sessions (proposed on the spot and inspired by “ignite talks” where significant experiences in local journalism were presented) and working groups, coordinated by some of the most prominent figures in international journalism. These activities led to the creation of a 10-point programmatic document — a veritable compass to better navigate emerging challenges such as the impact of artificial intelligence and the need to experiment with new business models. The document was presented in a final public panel on June 7.
Access to the event was by invitation only, but some participants were selected through a call for ideas — an opportunity to share their experiences of success, or failure, in experimenting with innovative projects aimed at better serving their communities.
Programme
17:30 - 19.00
Welcome drinks and networking
Invite only
Isola Catania
19:00 - 20.30
Ignite Talks
Invite Only
Isola Catania
20:30 - 22.00
Dinner and "post it sessions"
Invite Only
TBD
09:00 - 13:00
Unconference Sessions
Invite Only
Isola Catania
13:00 - 14.00
Light Lunch
Invite Only
Isola Catania
14:00 - 18.00
Working Tables
Invite Only
Isola Catania
20.30 - 22.00
Gala Dinner
Invite Only
TBD
10:00 - 13:00
10 Points Document Presentation
Public Event
University of Catania
13:00 - 14:00
Light Lunch
Invite Only
University of Catania
Tanit Koch
Amy Mitchell
Laura Silvia Battaglia al-Jalal
Lars Boering
Lisa MacLeod
Mehdi Lebouachera
Richard Gingras
Ignite Talks
The 10 Points Unconference kicked off on June 5th at the Roman Amphitheatre in Catania with a series of Ignite Talks, fast-paced presentations that offered bold ideas and concrete examples to reimagine the future of local journalism.
Rhiannon Davis
Founder of Greater Community Media
Community journalism is being redefined through active listening, open editorial processes, and journalism as public service. From migrant info pamphlets to collaborative reporting, the focus shifts to impact over clicks. Sustainable models emerge through reader support, philanthropy, and public funding, inspired by groundbreaking initiatives across the U.S. and Greater Community Media’s work in Scotland.
Cheryl Phillips
Founder of Big Local News and Advanced Lecturer in Journalism at the Stanford University.
Data collaboration is transforming local journalism by equipping newsrooms with clean datasets, tools, and training. Through models like the DART matrix and “story recipes,” Big Local News empowers journalists—especially in smaller outlets—to produce impactful, data-driven investigations, such as those on the U.S. overdose crisis that spurred real policy change.
Cheryl Phillips
Founder of Big Local News and Advanced Lecturer in Journalism at the Stanford University.
Data collaboration is transforming local journalism by equipping newsrooms with clean datasets, tools, and training. Through models like the DART matrix and “story recipes,” Big Local News empowers journalists—especially in smaller outlets—to produce impactful, data-driven investigations, such as those on the U.S. overdose crisis that spurred real policy change.
Guido Tiberga
Editorial Coordinator of L’Unica and former Managing Editor at La Stampa
L’Unica revives local journalism by slowing the pace and prioritizing depth over volume. Through weekly newsletters focused on investigative, community-rooted reporting, it offers an alternative to click-driven news. From overlooked elections to local scandals, the project reflects a broader effort to rebuild trust and relevance in local media with rigor and care.
Dean Ridings
CEO of America’s Newspapers
Trust in U.S. media has sharply declined, but local newspapers remain a trusted source—especially in rural areas. Drawing on national survey data, the talk identifies key trust drivers like transparency, ethical standards, and community presence. It also highlights generational trends, skepticism toward social media, and strategies for rebuilding trust through accessibility, solutions journalism, and consistent local coverage.
Dean Ridings
CEO of America’s Newspapers
Trust in U.S. media has sharply declined, but local newspapers remain a trusted source—especially in rural areas. Drawing on national survey data, the talk identifies key trust drivers like transparency, ethical standards, and community presence. It also highlights generational trends, skepticism toward social media, and strategies for rebuilding trust through accessibility, solutions journalism, and consistent local coverage.
Rozina Breen
Editor-in-Chief and CEO of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Community engagement and bold collaboration are reshaping investigative journalism—through public-led inquiries with real impact, shared power, and local insight. Examples include heatwave housing investigations and partnerships with local media to build trust and representation.
Yulia Akhmedova
Lead European Politics Reporter at Novaja Gazeta Europe
In response to war and censorship, Novaja Gazeta Europe continues independent reporting for Russian audiences from exile. Covering European politics, diaspora challenges, and propaganda, it sheds light on how disinformation spreads and how sanctions are evaded. Journalism in exile becomes a lifeline—offering truth, connection, and resistance amid repression.
Yulia Akhmedova
Lead European Politics Reporter at Novaja Gazeta Europe
In response to war and censorship, Novaja Gazeta Europe continues independent reporting for Russian audiences from exile. Covering European politics, diaspora challenges, and propaganda, it sheds light on how disinformation spreads and how sanctions are evaded. Journalism in exile becomes a lifeline—offering truth, connection, and resistance amid repression.
Chris Krewson
Executive Director of LION Publishers
LION Publishers is helping independent newsrooms scale sustainability through its evolving audit program, now a self-guided tool with coaching and wide reach. Backed by major funders, the initiative empowers small outlets with diagnostics, support, and infrastructure, aiming for over 400 audits in 2025. A vision of resilient, financially viable local journalism is taking shape.
Alessio Caspanello
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of LetteraEmme
Through long-form storytelling and deep local reporting, LetteraEmme fosters connection and trust within its community. Rejecting fast-news cycles, it focuses on quality journalism with bold coverage—from infrastructure debates to historical crime stories. Born during the pandemic, the magazine is carving a sustainable path with strong editorial vision and local impact.
Alessio Caspanello
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of LetteraEmme
Through long-form storytelling and deep local reporting, LetteraEmme fosters connection and trust within its community. Rejecting fast-news cycles, it focuses on quality journalism with bold coverage—from infrastructure debates to historical crime stories. Born during the pandemic, the magazine is carving a sustainable path with strong editorial vision and local impact.