Local news is good for democracy. But with the collapse of community newspapers, many people can’t find in-depth journalism that accurately reflects their communities and lives.
By providing in-depth journalism accountable to diverse communities, we are contributing to a more equitable democracy.
The Discourse builds local digital news products that bring communities together.
The Discourse produces collaborative reporting projects with media partners to investigate issues that matter to our community members.
The Discourse offers consulting and editorial services to empower others to serve their communities with in-depth journalism.
“So often in today’s information-saturated world, I skim read. I approach your stories differently, as they bring me closer to the people in my community. I set aside quiet time to let your words sink in.”
“This article makes me so excited for the future. I feel a sense of awakening and reassurance that maybe we’re headed towards a positive future.”
The Discourse is a digital news media company based in Vancouver B.C. We provide community-powered journalism to underserved communities. We currently operate digital media serving the Cowichan Valley, southern Alberta, Francophone Quebec and Indigenous communities in the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island.
We were founded by three journalists in 2014 to experiment with new forms of news. Since then, our team has been producing award-winning collaborative journalism that privileges diverse perspectives, is driven by the pursuit of truth, and creates positive change in underrepresented communities.
In 2017, we began developing a new business model for providing in-depth local news. Supported with startup funding from value-aligned partners, investors, family and community members who became owners in our company through an equity crowdfunding campaign (plus a lot of bootstrapping), we launched our community-powered platform The Discourse in 2018.
We now operate The Discourse, IndigiNews and La Converse.
Our reporting team in the Okanagan and our child welfare, education and health reporters on on Vancouver Island are funded in part by the Government of Canada, through the Local Journalism Initiative.
👉🏾Read the 10 principles that guide our business and editorial decisions.
