Members of the panel hosted by Ojai Valley News publisher and the Ojai Valley News Foundation's Executive Director, Laura Rearwin-Ward (far left) following the screening of Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink at the Ojai Valley Playhouse on January 18th, 2025. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural fundraiser for the new Ojai Valley News Foundation ( https://OVNF.org ). The event, held at the beautifully renovated Ojai Playhouse , featured a screening of the compelling documentary Stripped for Parts . For a Saturday morning, the event drew an impressive crowd, demonstrating the strong local interest in preserving and supporting independent journalism. The Ojai Valley News Foundation, a federally recognized nonprofit organization, has outlined an admirable mission: “to support Ventura County-owned, adjudicated, independent newspapers by expanding reporting coverage, promoting local media literacy and access, preserving newspaper history, and fostering professional relationships within the local independent news community.” At the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County, we deeply respect and value their efforts. We were proud to join many others in contributing to their important cause. Supporting Ventura County’s remaining locally owned independent newspapers is critical for maintaining a diverse and independent media landscape. That said, our community’s information ecosystem extends beyond newspapers. In an era where traditional media outlets have experienced dramatic cutbacks and consolidation—from the VC Star  to the VC Reporter  and The Acorn —many innovative voices have emerged to fill the void. Podcasts, newsletters, and digital platforms like Substack and Zines now play an essential role in informing our community. These platforms represent a new wave of journalism, one that is decentralized, diverse, and increasingly audience-driven. At the FAFVC, our mission is to champion journalism in all its forms—not just to preserve existing institutions, but to inspire and support the next generation of storytellers and truth-seekers. While newspapers are vital pillars of our local media landscape, we believe the future of journalism lies in empowering people to seek, tell, and share stories in ways that resonate with modern audiences. Journalists are, after all, the lifeblood of any community’s information network. They gather facts, analyze data, and give voice to the events and issues that shape our daily lives. Our role is to support not only the institutions that publish journalism but also the people who dedicate themselves to this essential work, whether they work for newspapers, digital platforms, or independent projects. We are stronger as a community when we work together. Although the OVNF and FAFVC have different emphases, we share a common goal: ensuring that the people of Ventura County have access to the accurate, timely, and diverse information they need to thrive. We look forward to collaborating with the OVNF and others to make this vision a reality. Click here to go to the Ojai Valley News Foundation's donation page. Click here to go to the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura's donation page. Thank you for your support!

Young people, journalists and nonjournalists alike, rely on platforms like TikTok for self-expression, community information, and news. Our mission at the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County is to safeguard free expression for everyone. So, why should we care about the government’s push to ban TikTok—or any platform for that matter? Simply put, it’s an attempt to limit speech, particularly the speech of younger generations, journalists, and diverse communities who rely on these platforms to speak and be heard. Government Overreach and the Constitution The First Amendment is clear: government shall make no law abridging free speech. When legislative bodies consider banning or heavily restricting TikTok, they risk curtailing expression by removing a prominent forum—especially for younger voices, artists, and creatives. Many of these potential bans are driven by lawmakers who may not personally use the platform or understand its cultural relevance. They equate it with frivolous content, even though meaningful journalism and critical discourse also thrive there. A Lifeline for Journalists and Creators Journalists often rely on social platforms to expand their reach, share breaking news, and foster community engagement. By banning TikTok, we’re cutting off a key distribution channel that allows stories to be heard by audiences who might not otherwise seek out traditional outlets. Let’s help journalists grow their audiences, not hinder them. Embracing All Forms of Expression Whether you’re listening to a podcast via Spotify, or on YouTube, or you get your information from the latest up-and-comers on TikTok, these platforms are about more than just entertainment. They’re about connecting people to the music, news, and conversations that shape culture. At the First Amendment Foundation, we believe in preserving these avenues for expression—not shutting them down because some lawmakers simply “don’t get it.” Join Us We invite you to stand with the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County as we champion the right to free speech across all platforms. Let’s work together to ensure that no government action—no matter how well-intentioned—can undermine the cornerstone of our democracy. Interested in getting involved? Contact us  to learn more about our advocacy efforts, upcoming events, and how you can help protect the First Amendment in the digital age.

The idea for the First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County was formed back in July, 2021. It began with a clear and urgent need: local journalism requires a stronger foundation to survive. The organization officially became a 501(c)3 on April 25, 2022 and I served as Executive Director until January 1, 2025. Now, I'm moving into the role of Chair of the Board, with John Brooks handling day-to-day leadership as the Executive Director. We are proud to be a truly independent journalism support organization, unaffiliated with any particular publication, party, or cause . Local journalism, and journalists, in action. Understanding the Fragility of Local Journalism After years of leading the Institute for Nonprofit News ( https://INN.org ) and then working with independent news organizations all over the world, I recognized how fragile the media ecosystem can be—especially for freelancers, stringers, and small outlets that struggle to pay living wages. At the same time, I was applying principles from my textbook, Community-Powered Journalism: A Manual for Sustainability & Growth in Independent News ( https://CommunityPoweredJournalism.com ) , which emphasizes that reporters and communities can create more impactful stories by collaborating rather than working in isolation. We are a community aimed at fostering local journalism and skill-sharing. The Road Ahead Looking ahead, our commitment to ensuring that journalism in Ventura County thrives is unwavering. This journey is a collective one, and it needs the enthusiastic support and engagement of all local stakeholders. Let's work together to increase and enhance the communal role that journalism plays in our society, ensuring it remains a lively and indispensable element of—and based in—our region. Thank you for your support. Together, we can ensure that journalism in Ventura County not only survives but thrives. – Kevin L. J. Davis, Chair of the Board.

The First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County ( https://FAFVC.org ) fosters a more informed public by supporting community-powered journalism, sustainable news operations, and impactful storytelling by and for the people of our region. Community listening and engagement. Image via Wix. In Ventura County, California, a group of dedicated individuals and journalism professionals has come together to support local journalists and foster a community of informed citizens. The First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County is on a mission to provide resources, raise awareness, and raise funds to ensure that journalists in the county have the support they need to continue their important work. One of the foundation's key initiatives will be to raise funds for projects and services that benefit local journalists. By providing financial support, the foundation will be able to help journalists cover important stories, attend training workshops, and invest in equipment that enhances their reporting. This funding will not only support journalists but also serve the community by ensuring that important issues are brought to light. In addition to fundraising, the foundation is also looking to provide valuable informational and technological resources to journalists in Ventura County. By offering these resources, the foundation is hoping to alleviate some of the financial burdens that journalists often face. Another important aspect of the foundation's work is listening to and engaging with the challenges faced by our communities in Ventura County. Only by actively listening and engaging with community members before, during and after the journalism production process can we ensure that the content we help produce has the maximum potential impact. Finally we also hope to raise awareness and engage with educational initiatives to highlight the importance of a free and independent press and journalists' crucial role in our society. By highlighting this role, the foundation hopes to garner support from the community and beyond. This website is intended to serve as a hub for these initiatives, featuring a donation platform where individuals can contribute to the cause, resources for journalists, and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of supporting local journalism. By supporting Ventura County journalists, whether through fundraising, providing resources, or raising awareness, we can all help ensure that our community remains informed, engaged, and empowered. Together, we can help journalists continue to tell the stories that matter most to our community. — John Brooks, Executive Director

As we move into a new era of leadership at FAFVC, I want to share what’s on the horizon. Our work is guided by the conviction that local journalism thrives when communities are genuinely involved in the storytelling process. Here’s how we’ll turn that belief into action: Freelance & Stringer Support:  We'll be looking at things like micro-grants, targeted stipends, and professional-development sessions for independent journalists, to help them continue to cover the stories our community most needs. Mentorship for Emerging Journalists:  Through partnerships with local schools and colleges, we’ll introduce the tenets of Community-Powered Journalism  to students, helping them see how their voices and experiences can shape local reporting. Community Engagement Initiatives:  We will look to engage in listening tours, town halls, and story circles to bring residents and journalists together, co-creating coverage that reflects both local expertise and professional journalistic standards. Professional Development:  We seek to host regular workshops on the latest digital tools, data-based reporting methods, and audience engagement strategies—keeping our local press at the cutting edge. By centering our approach on collaboration and community engagement, we hope to foster greater trust and understanding among Ventura County’s residents. Your support—whether in the form of donations, volunteer time, or simply sharing our work—will help us keep these efforts going. Let’s work together to ensure that the residents and workforce of Ventura County are engaged and informed. — John Brooks, Executive Director , First Amendment Foundation of Ventura County