The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, a program of the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University, has merged with Wisconsin Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news outlet covering the state, the two organizations announced. This merger is aimed at coordinating fundraising and core operations, bolstering the capacity of both organizations to deliver trustworthy, high-quality news—especially to underserved urban communities of color and rural areas across Wisconsin. With this step, the organizations can ensure that trusted local news is accessible to all.
The merger is supported by an investment from the American Journalism Project, a continuation of its initial 2021 grant to facilitate collaboration between the two organizations. The collaboration also includes News414, funded by $234,000 in support from the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge, which connects newsrooms directly with community members through text messaging and social media.
“The collaborations between Neighborhood News Service and Wisconsin Watch have supported the concept that this merger will complete both newsrooms, which have overlapping and complementary missions,” said Ron Smith, executive director of NNS, who will remain in his role. “The merger will allow NNS to serve black and brown residents outside of its current footprint, thereby expanding our reach and contribution.”
NNS and its team will remain housed in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette, and all NNS employees have been offered positions under the new ownership structure and will continue in their current roles. Further, WW reporters will now have a physical newsroom in Milwaukee in which to work.
“Marquette’s long support of NNS has been incredible, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the university and the Diederich College of Communication, which includes our home in Johnston Hall,” Smith said.
Smith also emphasized that the merger does not fundamentally change how NNS operates its newsroom. “NNS remains editorially autonomous, and all editorial decisions continue to be made by the NNS staff,” he said. “The merger is seen as a means to enhance, not alter, the core mission of NNS.”
Additionally, the WW board of directors will be expanded to include representation that aligns with the community NNS serves.
According to Smith, the merger provides additional benefits, including:
- Combining the teams’ infrastructure will allow for operational efficiencies.
- Additional resources will allow for enhanced use of audio and video tools, which will further expand the reach of the news service.
- Using the investigative resources of WW will allow for expanded coverage of key issues affecting the communities that are served by NNS.
- Broader internship opportunities will be available to Marquette students, in both journalism and non-journalism areas.
About Neighborhood News Service
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service was founded in March 2011 as part of the Zilber Family Foundation Neighborhood Initiative, a 10-year, $50 million effort started by Joseph Zilber, the late real estate tycoon, philanthropist and Marquette alumnus, to improve Milwaukee’s poor neighborhoods. Since then, NNS has provided professional reporting to Black and Latinx residents who have been ignored, underserved or inaccurately portrayed in other media outlets.
About Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch is a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news outlet. WW increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. WW’s work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy. Reporters are currently based in Madison, Milwaukee, and Oshkosh, and other members of the robust editorial and business teams are located across the state. WW collaborates and shares its content with mainstream and niche media across Wisconsin and the nation.
