Hi there,

We’ve been thinking a lot about what it means for local news to truly belong to everyone in New Hampshire — not just the people who already follow it closely, but also the neighbors who feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start. The people who don’t always see themselves or their communities reflected in coverage. The folks who want useful local information but haven’t quite found their way in.

That’s why we’re launching something special — and we’d love your help.

Introducing the Statewide Community News Needs Survey

From Dec. 1 through Feb. 1, we’re asking residents across the state to tell us:

• How they get their news

• What information they feel they’re missing

• What topics matter most

• What would help them feel more welcome and included

• And what might bring them back to local news if they've drifted away

This is a true listening effort. Your voice — and the voices you help us reach — will guide how we shape more community-centered, accessible, relevant local journalism in the years ahead.

Why Your Input Matters

Local news thrives when it reflects the full diversity of needs, interests, and lived experiences in our state.
We want every resident to feel:

“There’s something here for me. I can see myself and the issues I care about. I belong here.”

To get there, we need to understand what people want, how they get information, and what would make local news feel more useful, trustworthy, and welcoming — no matter where they live or how they access it.

How You Can Help

Since you’re already connected to GSNC, you’re in the perfect position to help us reach the people who aren’t — friends, family, coworkers, neighbors who may not regularly read, watch, or listen to local news.

 Please take the survey and share it with at least three people we may not hear from otherwise.
Short, simple, incredibly meaningful.

Thank you for being part of this effort — and for helping us make local news more welcoming, inclusive, and built around what New Hampshire residents truly need.

Warmly,

Melanie Plenda

Executive Director
The Granite State News Collaborative

melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org

collaborativenh.org

What’s Coming Next

The survey kicks off a larger statewide effort to reconnect people with the information they need and the newsrooms that serve them.

In early 2026, we’ll launch:

Publisher Crawls

Think “brewery crawl,” but with local newsrooms — events where we bring journalists into communities to meet residents, answer questions, and talk openly about how local news works.

A Civics & Community Group Road Tour

We’ll visit libraries, senior centers, cultural groups, business associations, faith communities, schools, and more to listen, learn, and build new partnerships that strengthen civic life.

What we hear in this survey will shape where we go, what we do, and how we show up.

Before You Go…

 DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT FOR LOCAL NEWS
Through Dec. 31, your gift to the Granite State News Collaborative is matched — helping strengthen community-centered reporting across New Hampshire.
 Donate to Newsmatch
Every contribution helps keep local news strong and accessible.

Image and text from Melanie Plenda and the Granite State News Collaborative.