An A4 size page with a black and white image of a forest stretched across a hillside. Over the image, text reads: Building Trust in the Open. How Open Social Can Help Journalism Rebuild Community and Trust. Ben Werdmuller. For the Newsmast Foundation, ONA26.

In case you missed it, on Monday, for #ONA26 we launched a brand new white paper, written by @werd.io

It's an in depth look into how open social protocols can help journalism rebuild community and trust. We'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

#Journalism #SocialWeb

Love to see it, Ray!!!! So glad you got a lot out of #ONA26. Thank you for being such an awesome partner to ONA! 💜

Left #ONA26 energized. Our org — @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social — was proud to sponsor and be part of the conversations shaping what’s next for local journalism. There’s a tangible energy right now around revitalizing newsrooms and strengthening communities’ access to essential information.

Finally the city is really windy 👍🏻 #ona26 #chicago

Journalist Nick Valencia speaking April 1 at Online News Association feature session at its annual conference in Chicago. He’s part of a panel that includes Karen Attiah, Versha Sharma and Gunita Singh. Moderated by Sasha-Ann Simons.

“We are dealing with social media systems that incentivize us fighting each other.”
@nickvalencianews.bsky.social
Great panel at @journalists.org #ona26!

Online News Association opening panel day 3.

“The First Amendment is not optional; it is foundational.”
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social #ona26 @journalists.org

“My accessibility is my appreciation for the media.”
👏 @mayorofchicago.bsky.social

#ona26

Mayor Brandon Johnson on stage in conversation with Sasha-Ann Simons of WBEZ Chicago on Wednesday, April 1, morning.

“Government should not be afraid of our voices, it should answer them.”
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social at @journalists.org conference in Chicago. Mayor Johnson was interviewed by @sashaannsimons.bsky.social of @wbez.org. #ona26

The tunnel connecting the two parts of T1 at O'Hare, with the neon art overhead lit up in the colors of the rainbow.

I can't spell "homeward" today without "ORD." Great seeing y'all, #ONA26 people!

Daniel O. Ash, President of Field Foundation, speaks at the ONA26 podium on the grand stage of Hilton Chicago's International Ballroom, projected on a large screen behind him. Standing on stage from left to right: Maudlyne Ihejirika, Field Foundation's Director of Journalism & Storytelling; Nicholas Burt of the Driehaus Foundation; Bree Perry of the Joyce Foundation; and Tracy Baim of Press Forward Chicago. An ONA26 Chicago | March 30–April 1 sign is visible on the podium.

A projected slide in the ornate Hilton Chicago International Ballroom reads "With Thanks to the ONA26 Headline Sponsors, The Chicago J Funders," displaying logos for Press Forward Chicago, Field Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, and the Driehaus Foundation.

Niketa Patel, CEO & Executive Director of the Online News Association, welcomes ONA26 attendees from the podium at the Opening Plenary in Hilton Chicago's International Ballroom. Behind her, a large screen displays headshots of three journalists: Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, and Estefany Rodriguez.

Posing for a group photo at ONA26 (from left to right) are: Nicholas Burt of the Driehaus Foundation; Tracy Baim of Press Forward Chicago; Bree Perry of the Joyce Foundation; Daniel O. Ash, President, Field Foundation; and Maudlyne Ihejirika, Field Foundation's Director of Journalism & Storytelling. The group is smiling.

"You're part of a movement to strengthen journalism and local news."

Field Foundation President Daniel O. Ash welcomed 1,200 journalists to #ONA26 in Chicago last night, speaking on behalf of fellow sponsoring funders: Press Forward Chicago, The Joyce Foundation & Driehaus Foundation.

The Newsmast booth at ONA26

Booths in the Midway at ONA26

It’s almost time to say goodbye to the @newsmast home for the last two days - the #ONA26 Midway.

We’ve had lots of conversations about audience engagement, community, and building social networks for #journalism.

We look forward to rolling out pilots […]

[Original post on backend.newsmast.org]

The Newsmast booth at ONA26

Booths at ONA26

It’s almost time to say goodbye to the @newsmastfoundation.org home for the last two days - the #ONA26 Midway.

We’ve had lots of conversations about audience engagement, community, and building social networks for journalism. We look forward to rolling out pilots in the US over the coming year.

4/4
And a darker question for my specific context:

As the state tries to finish off the open internet in Russia, will there be any "agents" left online at all - other than the human ones from the secret services?

#ONA26 #Journalism #AI #MediaStrategy #B2A2C #PressFreedom

1/4

Another insight from #ONA26: while Russia is busy trying to finish off the open internet, the global media landscape is shifting from B2C to B2A2C (Business-to-AI-Agent-to-Consumer)

In media terms, that looks like: Newsroom → AI Agent → Audience

#ONA26 is the place where old friends reunite!

So great to run into my Kiplinger Fellow 2025, Len Clark from the University of Notre Dame. It’s moments like these that make the conference special.

#Journalism #KiplingerFellows #Networking

It’s the first time in I don’t know how long tha I am not attending #ONA26. Send y’all good vibes.

I hope to attend next year, as long as they go back to the second half of the week.

M-W is a deal breaker for me. :(

A thought-provoking #ONA26 panel had Mónica Guzmán talking about how to reclaim curiosity for readers from polarization among them. Her opening pitch to journalists was about how our curiosity should serve as our foundational strength: "You can aim at the things you don't understand."

Anyone here at #ONA26 who actually wants to talk about Bluesky?

#ONA2026 @journalists.org

Materials from my #ONA26 session, "More AI Tools That Won't Get You Fired"!

Session materials: bit.ly/ona26

Journalist's Toolbox newsletter: journaliststoolbox.substack.com

Hosting a Table Talk at #ONA26: “Standing in the Gap: Why Journalism Doesn't Reach People.” Come chat from now to 11 a.m.!

ONA 26 WORKSHOP - Google Drive

Hey #ona26 attendees. Swing by Salon A1 at 9 a.m. today for my session "More AI Tools That Won't Get You Fired"! Bring your laptop and we'll break the internet.

Session materials: bit.ly/ona26

Journalist's Toolbox newsletter: journaliststoolbox.substack.com

Traveling for sensitive work? This session is for you.

Tomorrow at #ONA26: Traveling Safely in Uncertain Times.

📅 Tuesday, March 31 | 9:30–11:00 AM CT

Details: ona26live.journalists.org/fsPopup.asp?...

🎙️ [1] Change. #live #ONA26

5/5
What should we do?
We'll adapt
As always

We will find new ways to reach our audience and tell the truth. Because that's the job

#PressFreedom #ONA26 #IndependentMedia

Another powerful session at #ONA26 focused on journalism under autocracy. A key reflections from the discussion:

Whether it’s Russia, China, Egypt, or Iran, autocracies are remarkably similar. While democracy has many faces, the "dictator’s playbook" relies on the same tired, brutal methods

1/5

Ashley Alvarado, Tim Isgitt, Kimbriell Kelly, and Thomas Evans appear on stage at ONA26 in Chicago

“The story of public media isn’t just about the threats that we face," says Ashley Alvarado, of Texas Public Radio.

"It’s about a fierce, unwavering commitment to public service.”

#ONA26

Best quote to kick off Chicago in Focus at @journalists.org #ona26 “Alternative is the new mainstream.” @tracybaim.bsky.social referencing local reporting 20 years ago.

First time in Chicago, first time at Michigan Lake

#ONA26

Home | Extra Points Learn how college sports really works. Extra Points covers the business, policy and off-the-field stories changing college sports.

Good points about finding a product-market fit from @mattbrown.bsky.social in this #ONA26 panel. "I'm not going to give you gambling advice; I write about nerd stuff," he says of how he covers college sports as a business and policy story. "There are maybe six other FOIA dorks in college sports."

Obligatory I'm at #ONA26 post and would love to get nerdy with other peeps about digital news & social media