Immigrant news outlets reach US communities via WhatsApp and text
Independent US news outlets use WhatsApp and text to reach immigrant communities who avoid traditional news platforms.
As legacy news outlets cut resources and lose touch with immigrant communities, outlets like Documented fill the gap by using WhatsApp, text and social media to share news directly. Research by these outlets found something important: many immigrants, especially non-English speakers, do not visit news websites.
Instead, many immigrants rely on messaging apps like WhatsApp. Over half of Latinos in the US use WhatsApp.
The Immigrant News Coalition started last year. It includes Documented and El Tímpano.
It received US$1.5 million from the Press Forward Foundation. The money tests and spreads new revenue models for immigrant newsrooms.
Journalism professor Angie Chuang explains why these outlets work. They operate at the local level.
They amplify community voices rather than speak to the community from outside.
- Documented
- Outlet
- Eileen Grench
- Reporter
- Zohran Mamdani
- NYC mayor
Why it mattersShows how independent media can fill voids left by mainstream outlets and reach underserved populations with reliable news in their preferred channels.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the model could inform how Australian outlets reach migrant communities who prefer messaging apps over traditional news channels.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 h ago
