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A Boost for Local Journalism in New Bedford

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The New Bedford Light will focus on deep-dive reporting and the arts.

Launched this week as an online news outlet, the New Bedford Light aims to fill a growing hole in local coverage as many traditional newspapers continue to lose revenue and shed staff.

Founding editor Barbara Roessner says the new outlet will specialize in deep-dive reporting. “We've decided to focus at least initially on where we think there's the biggest gap, and that's in-depth, explanatory and investigative stories about major issues from COVID, to race, to the wind industry, to education and environment.”

Roessner also hopes the New Bedford Light can serve as a hub for the city’s arts and culture scene. “We're looking to create a virtual gallery of visual and performing arts that pulls together different communities within the city,” she says.

The non-profit outlet relies on grants and donations. Roessner describes the New Bedford Light’s small team of journalists as “very talented, very passionate about the work, not getting paid a lot—yet. We're just making it happen.”

The team is working remotely now, but later this summer they plan to move into a newsroom in Kilburn Mill in New Bedford’s South End.

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Daniel Ackerman has left CAI.
In his time at the station he reported on the South Coast. He came to the station from Minnesota Public Radio, where he reported on science and the environment. Daniel has produced audio documentaries on a motley mix of topics, from the science of sewage to the history of automobile license plates. He holds a PhD in climate change ecology from the University of Minnesota. Daniel was a 2021-22 Report For America corps member.
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