2024 was a year of transformation and growth for the KNOM News Team. I wanted to write to you to give an overview of the past year, and give you a sneak peek at some of the things we have planned for 2025.
In 2024 we made major investments in personnel, technology, and time to modernize KNOM’s News Team. We adopted a meet-you-where-you-are approach to the news. That meant that in addition to delivering news on our AM and FM radio signals and website, we dove head first into social media.
We know social media is a tricky topic. What –and who– can you trust on platforms rife with vitriol, misinformation, and memes? Rather than abandon this vital source of information, we prioritized being present on social media to serve as a source of truth for our region.
We took on innovative forms of reporting, like video reports and live streams, to bring you important information in new formats. We also launched new video series like the “KNOM Community Calendar Show”, “Nanook Sports Minute”, and the Indigenous language project “Living Legacies”.
But make no mistake, we’re not neglecting our original audience. We understand how vital the radio is for people throughout the region, especially those without high-speed internet connections. Our daily radio show, KNOM Update News, has broadcast almost every weekday since its creation in 1971. We are proud to carry that legacy to this day.
So let’s talk about the future. The theme I’ve set for 2025 is “Doubling Down”.
We’re doubling down on technology, like new cameras and microphones as well as a new Starlink Mini that allows us to do high quality live streams from anywhere in the region.
We’re doubling down on our time spent covering the issues that are important to the region. Just last year, we broke news on a prospective uranium mine near Elim and were on the ground in mere hours to provide coverage of the Stebbins School fire. We’ll bring you even more breaking news in the new year.
We’re doubling down on our personnel, with the arrival of a new reporter in mid-February. And soon, we plan to add a third reporter to the news team to further enhance our coverage of the region.
Most importantly, we’re doubling down on you. In the last year we received tons of great feedback. I want to be clear, positive and negative feedback is always welcomed. It’s a priority of mine to meet the needs of our audience, and we plan on making great strides in that direction in the new year.
Finally, I want to share some ways you can get involved. This February, we are hosting the “KNOM Community Town Hall” at Old St. Joe’s. This event isn’t about us, it’s about you. We want to hear about the issues that are most important to you, so we know we’re meeting the needs of our region. We’ll have more details on that event shortly.
Second, as we expand our news team please reach out with story ideas. You can contact us at any time at news@knom.org.
Lastly, if you want to support the work we’re doing please visit knom.org/give. A small, one-time or recurring donation goes a long way in supporting our mission.
Thank you for being a part of KNOM Radio Mission in 2024!
Ben Townsend
News Director, KNOM Radio Mission, Inc
