ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2025) — The Poynter Institute partners with Internet Archive and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) to bring preservation and web archive training to 300 news organizations throughout 2026 and 2027.
This Press Forward-funded initiative was developed to preserve vital local online news content that often vanishes when publications cease to exist or technology changes. Beginning March 2026, participating organizations will receive online and in-person training, including free access to tools, services and networking opportunities to support the sustainability of digital news.
The project will create a national framework for digital preservation that…
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2025) — The Poynter Institute partners with Internet Archive and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) to bring preservation and web archive training to 300 news organizations throughout 2026 and 2027.
This Press Forward-funded initiative was developed to preserve vital local online news content that often vanishes when publications cease to exist or technology changes. Beginning March 2026, participating organizations will receive online and in-person training, including free access to tools, services and networking opportunities to support the sustainability of digital news.
The project will create a national framework for digital preservation that serves newsrooms’ “immediate internal needs and communities’ future information needs,” according to Press Forward.
“Journalism is the first draft of history, and we’re at risk of losing that history thanks to changes in a newsroom’s technology, ownership and even outside pressure to erase it,” said Kristen Hare, program lead and Poynter’s director for craft and local news. “This program offers Internet Archive’s stellar preservation services and training to help newsrooms plan ahead.”
Successful applicants will be placed into cohorts based on characteristics such as geographic location and media type. They will receive training on Internet Archive’s digital preservation and web archiving services, share local news resources through a local news access portal and participate in knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities centered around local news preservation.
The program application is now open until Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Eligible applicants work for media organizations — nonprofit, corporate, public, digital startups, college, print or broadcast — that produce digital content requiring preservation. While the application may be completed by the individual intending to participate in the training, approval from an editor, director, or equivalent is required. Due to the support of Press Forward, there is no cost associated with participation.
Cohorts begin in March, May, and September 2026 and January, April, and September 2027. Each cohort will convene three times over the course of the training and participate in three asynchronous sessions.
“Today’s News for Tomorrow will help local journalists and newsrooms learn what we’re up against,” Hare said, “and thanks to Internet Archive’s amazing services, make sure the first draft of news is still around for future generations.”
Register for a virtual information session at noon on Friday, Dec. 5 to find out more about the project and how your organization can get involved. This session will include a brief presentation from the project team and time for Q&A.
For read more or submit an application, visit Today’s News for Tomorrow.
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Sabrina Shihvazger is the Marketing Specialist for Poynter’s training, ethics and leadership brands. Prior to Poynter, her professional experience spanned marketing and communications for academia…