SAN DIEGO (TOSD) — Times of San Diego has been acquired by NEWSWELL, an innovative nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening local news outlets.
While Times of San Diego concentrates on delivering quality, community-focused news and resources in San Diego, NEWSWELL will focus on delivering and improving business services to media organizations. The pioneering nonprofit will utilize its deep expertise, extensive media network and resources to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to the publishing and operations of small- and mid-sized news organizations.
NEWSWELL is part of the ASU Media Enterprise at Arizona State University, recognized repeatedly as the nation’s most innovative university. ASU also is home to one of the nation’s premiere journalism schools, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Times of San Diego will continue to be based in San Diego with local reporting and editing, while gaining access to shared resources, best practices, industry innovations and new opportunities for revenue and digital advancements essential for growth and sustainability.
“This is a unique opportunity to build on what Times of San Diego has created over the last decade,” said Chris Jennewein, editor and general manager of Times of San Diego. “As part of NEWSWELL, we’ll seek to define the future of local media in today’s digital environment.”
Times of San Diego, with a staff of 12 contributing editors, photographers and writers, has grown to be the largest independent news site in San Diego County, with a monthly audience of over 700,000 readers.
The San Diego Press Club has judged Times of San Diego the best local news website in seven of the last eight years. In 2023, the Financial Times consulting group identified the website as an “archetype of sustainable publishing.”
Part of the mission of ASU, the nation’s largest public university, is to advance research and discovery of public value and assume responsibility for the economic, social and cultural health of the communities it serves.
That is a key driver for NEWSWELL as more than half of the counties in the United States now have just one — or no — local news outlet, according to Northwestern University research. These “news deserts” aren’t good for a strong society and democracy, and NEWSWELL is focused on stabilizing and strengthening local news organizations in thriving communities.
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Preceding republished from Times of San Diego, with which San Diego Jewish World shares news under auspices of the San Diego Online News Association.