What is Signal Akron?
Launched in 2023, Signal Akron is part of the Signal Ohio network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms. Signal Ohio is one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country, with more than 20 staff and more than $15 million raised so far. Signal Ohio is backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community members and the American Journalism Project.
Signal Akron is a newsroom that fuses community building with local news reporting. We produce trustworthy daily journalism across a range of topics, including government, education, public health, community safety and the arts.
We’re also home to a growing number of Akron Documenters, a group of residents who represent Greater Akron and are trained and paid to cover public meetings.
Together, we will be a primary source of information for residents who may not otherwise have access to trusted local journalism, and we’re available online, via email, and on social platforms. Our website will be filled with explainers and guides to help residents navigate life in Akron and will serve as a growing civic tool for our city. We also will hold community meetings and trainings, and we’re present every day in Akron communities.
Why are we called “Signal”?
Our name is a nod to Garrett Morgan, the noted Cleveland inventor and businessman who came to Cleveland to make his name in 1895. Morgan made his fortune in Cleveland with a series of successful inventions, including the three-position traffic signal that later became the three-light traffic signal in use today. Morgan also started The Call newspaper in 1916, which later merged to become The Call and Post, an influential newspaper in Cleveland and eventually all of Ohio. So our name speaks to not just Cleveland history but to Ohio’s trailblazing journalistic history.
As the second newsroom launched by Signal Ohio, it seemed serendipitous that the Signal Tree, the iconic and ancient burr oak located within Summit Metro Parks’ Cascade Valley, is revered by many Akronites and stands as a symbol of the Indigenous peoples who lived in the region. The huge tree, according to legend, served as a way marker for various tribes making their way to the Ohio River. Given our commitment to covering underrepresented communities, it’s another apt connection to our name.
And, of course, a signal – similar to a lighthouse – can be a beacon, a trusted guide that lights the way. We aim to be just that, a trusted source of daily news and information for Akron residents.
Who are Akron Documenters?
Akron Documenters are part of the Signal Akron newsroom. They are Akron residents who are trained and paid to document official governmental meetings of Akron and Summit County and contribute to a communal pool of public knowledge.
What does the Signal Akron newsroom cover?
Signal Akron will layer service and community reporting — based on the network of Documenters who regularly attend public meetings — with beat reporting in education, government, public safety and health, and arts and culture. We are focused on filling the big gaps in news coverage that too often overlook people and issues in Akron’s neighborhoods.
What is Signal Akron’s editorial policy?
Signal Akron is a non-partisan newsroom whose mission is to provide information and resources to Akronites to help them make informed decisions and hold people in power accountable. Central to the mission is to listen to the community impacted by policies and the people who make them.
Signal Akron storytelling will take many forms, from digital stories to newsletters and social media posts to text messages, videos and printed fliers. Our stories will explore all sides of an issue and will not shy away from drawing conclusions backed by reporting and expertise.
How do I share a story idea or tip with Signal Akron?
Signal Akron is a newsroom that values input from the community. Your story tips and ideas will help us inform readers and hold those in power accountable. Submit a tip here.
What is Signal Akron’s corrections policy?
Signal Akron will be transparent about its reporting process, which includes alerting readers to errors and clarifications made to published stories. Our reporters and editors will also be accessible to discuss our reporting. Review our policy or submit a correction.
Who funds Signal Akron?
Signal Akron is part of the Signal Ohio network, one of the largest, nonprofit local news startups in the country. Signal Ohio is backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community members and the American Journalism Project. Your support is incredibly important for our independence and sustainability. As a journalism organization, we believe in full transparency. You can find a list of our funding sources here.
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Yes! Signal Akron is a part of the Ohio Local Information Initiative, a 501(c)3 nonprofit and, as such, donations to our organization are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law in your personal circumstances. To find out what that means for you, we recommend consulting with your tax advisor, accountant or the IRS. If you plan to claim this donation on your federal taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record–we will send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
What is the Ohio Local News Initiative?
Before we got our name, Signal, we were known as the Ohio Local News Initiative. This is because our newsroom was born out of an effort by a coalition of Ohio-based organizations, the American Journalism Project, and the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation to understand local information needs and develop a solution to fill them. The group raised more than $6 million to launch a network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms for Ohio.
Do you have a political agenda?
No. We are a nonpartisan organization, not affiliated with any political campaigns or political parties. We are working to improve and strengthen the local information that is shared in Greater Akron.