OCN selected as Report for America newsroom

Report for America is a national service program that helps partner newsrooms hire full-time journalists to report on undercovered issues and communities.

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January 15, 2025

Oviedo Community News is proud to announce that it has been selected as a 2025 Report for America host newsroom partner. OCN will join an expanding network of more than 400 newsrooms benefiting from the support of this nonprofit program. Through this partnership, OCN will expand its coverage of east Seminole County local government.

Report for America is a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities. Their proven partnership model is structured to harness the skills and idealism of an emerging group of journalists plus the creative spirit of local news organizations—like ours. The program holds two “rigorous competitions,” one for host newsrooms and one for journalists and “pick the best of the best.”

Report for America is a two-year program (with an option for three) that delivers a wide range of benefits to its corps members. Beyond paying up to half of the journalists’ salaries, it provides ongoing training and mentorship by leading journalists, peer networking, and memberships to select professional organizations. We will be eager to welcome our new Report for America corps member in the summer of 2025.

Please consider supporting this vital mission to preserve local news.

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Did you know each article on Oviedo Community News takes anywhere from 10-15 hours to produce and edit and costs between $325 and $600? Your support makes it possible.

 

 

 

 

We believe that access to local news is a right, not a privilege, which is why our journalism is free for everyone. But we rely on readers like you to keep this work going. Your contribution keeps us independent and dedicated to our community.

 

If you believe in the value of local journalism, please make a tax-deductible contribution today or choose a monthly gift to help us plan for the future.

 

Thank you for supporting Oviedo Community News! 

 

With gratitude, 

Megan Stokes, OCN editor-in-chief

 

 

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Author
Megan Stokes

Megan is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Oviedo Community News, the only independent news source for Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. She oversees editorial content, policy and staff. She attends meetings, sends out the e-newsletter and curates conversations in the community to understand the information gaps that OCN needs to fill. She also works to create partnerships that can strengthen the bond between community and newsroom.

She has served as an award-winning community journalist for more than 20 years, including as associate editor for the East Orlando Sun and a reporter for the Seminole Voice, the Winter Park-Maitland Observer and Orlando Magazine.
In 2024, Megan was named Editor of the Year by the Society for Professional Journalism. With the Central Florida Foundation and Central Florida Public Media, she co-found the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
She served as treasurer for the Florida Press Club for seven years and has won awards from the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Florida Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalism. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism (now called the Reed College of Media) at West Virginia University.

Megan also loves yoga, running and playing board games with her family.

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