Community Project – Strategic Plan and Organisational Development Framework.

Executive Summary:

Veritas Press is a Community Interest Company (CIC) committed to delivering independent, ethical, and community-focused journalism while fostering the next generation of reporters. Our mission is to empower communities and aspiring journalists through accurate, transparent, and accountable reporting. We provide practical training, apprenticeships, and mentorships in collaboration with local colleges and universities, enabling journalists to gain hands-on experience and ethical grounding.

Through local, regional, national, and international reporting, Veritas Press amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities in Walsall and the West Midlands. By linking local realities to broader contexts, we aim to foster civic engagement, informed public debate, and greater societal accountability. Full editorial independence is core to our work, ensuring our reporting is free from political, corporate, or partisan influence.

Organisational Identity and Purpose:

Mission:
To empower communities and future journalists through truthful, ethical, and independent journalism, providing opportunities for training, engagement, and professional development.

Vision:
To be the leading independent community journalism initiative in the West Midlands, recognised for developing skilled journalists, producing impactful reporting, and fostering informed civic participation.

Core Values:

• Truth and Transparency: Commitment to accurate, verifiable, and unbiased reporting.
• Community and Inclusion: Amplifying voices of underrepresented groups and reflecting the diversity of local communities.
• Independence and Integrity: Safeguarding editorial freedom from political, corporate, or partisan influence.
• Education and Empowerment: Developing the next generation of ethical, investigative journalists.

Strategic Objectives:

1. Develop and Train Future Journalists:

Goal: Equip aspiring journalists with the skills, ethical foundations, and experience required to succeed in a dynamic media landscape.

Actions:

1. Partner with universities and colleges (e.g., University of Wolverhampton, Birmingham City University, University of Aston, University of Birmingham, Walsall College) to create structured pathways for journalism students.
2. Develop apprenticeship, internship, and mentorship programmes pairing trainees with qualified journalists.
3. Deliver workshops, masterclasses, and certified modules in investigative reporting, ethics, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and community engagement.
4. Provide targeted opportunities for underrepresented groups to enter the media profession.

Expected Outcomes:

• Skilled, community-focused journalists ready for professional careers.
• Greater diversity in journalism careers across Walsall and the West Midlands.
• A pipeline of trained reporters capable of producing impactful, ethical reporting.

2. Serve and Benefit the Community:

Goal: Produce journalism that strengthens communities, increases civic engagement, and connects local issues to national and international contexts.

Actions:

1. Establish a community news hub and podcasts highlighting local stories, grassroots initiatives, and underrepresented voices.
2. Build citizen reporting programmes enabling residents to report on issues affecting their communities.
3. Cover key regional topics — housing, education, health, migration, employment, environment, politics, social justice, and culture — with a focus on accountability and solutions.
4. Host public forums, debates, podcasts, and town halls connecting residents with journalists, policymakers, and educators.
5. Produce multilingual and accessible editions to engage diverse audiences.

Expected Outcomes:

• Stronger community voice and engagement.
• Increased civic participation and trust in local media.
• Greater public awareness of underreported issues.
• A more inclusive regional identity and interconnected civic culture.

3. Maintain Independence and Ethical Integrity

Goal: Ensure full editorial and financial independence while safeguarding ethical standards.

Actions:

1. Operate under the CIC structure to protect public benefit and ensure transparency.
2. Implement an editorial charter affirming principles of truth, accountability, fairness, and independence.
3. Establish an independent advisory board with journalists, academics, community representatives, and civic leaders to provide governance and oversight.
4. Develop diverse, ethical funding streams, including:
   • Grants and philanthropic support
   • Community subscriptions
   • Training and consultancy services
   • Ethical advertising and sponsorships with strict guidelines
5. Publish annual transparency reports detailing finances, editorial decisions, and community impact.

Expected Outcomes:

• A trusted, sustainable community media organisation.
• Strong mechanisms for accountability, integrity, and public confidence.
• Financial resilience supporting long-term editorial independence.

Implementation Timeline