EdSource and Palo Alto-based tech company Distributed Media Lab (DML) are partnering to create the California Education News Network with funding from the Google News Initiative.
The network will be anchored by EdSource’s award-winning editorial team using DML’s technology platform, which news organizations across California and beyond can embed on their websites. EdSource will curate a roundup of the most important education news stories around the state and country, contributing its own journalism, as well as other notable sources.
At a time when many news organizations around the country are contracting, EdSource is home to California’s largest newsroom dedicated to education. By using the DML platform to distribute education journalism, the project seeks to expand the audience and impact of news organizations and empower local communities by providing trusted news, information and analysis with seamless syndication.
“Education stepped into the spotlight like never before over the last three years amid the pandemic, and there was an urgent need for news you can trust,” said Anne Vasquez, CEO of EdSource. “This project will amplify the editorial power of newsrooms across the state and will serve as a model as we look beyond California.”
For more than four decades, EdSource has been dedicated to delivering nonpartisan information, research and analysis about the most pressing education issues.
In addition to distribution, DML technology creates new sustainable revenue streams for local news publishers. DML has spent the last five years working collaboratively with media organizations and brands to develop the platform and products that power both network and local revenue models.
“Democracy starts with a well-informed and educated populace,” said David Gehring, CEO of Distributed Media Lab. “We are honored to put Distributed Media Lab’s unique distribution power to work with EdSource to support their effort to inform Californians as we pursue the best education environment for our next generation.”