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Documenters: Training Citizen Journalists to Cover Local Government

Leah Wambui Keinama, Director of Civic Journalism at Nebraska Journalism Trust, outlines how everyday citizens can help close governance gaps by reporting on hidden public meetings in this episode of Consider This.

  • published: 2025/10/20
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Blurred background of a community library event showcases an engaging reading session with attendees focused on the speaker

An audience gathers for a community reading event inside a cozy library, listening attentively as a speaker presents from the podium. Photo: Shutterstock.

In this episode: Guest Leah Wambui Keinama describes how the Nebraska Journalism Trust is empowering citizens to become “documenters” by observing and reporting on often-overlooked local government board meetings. She walks viewers through how the program works from training to publishing, offering a practical path for individuals to help illuminate decision-making that usually happens behind closed doors.

📺 Watch the episode: Season 29, Episode 2 – Documenters

💡 Why it matters: Local governance decisions affect communities in tangible ways, yet these meetings often go underreported. By equipping Nebraskans with the training and resources to document what’s happening locally, this program strengthens transparency, accountability, and civic engagement across the state.

🎞️ About Consider This: Consider This is a weekly public affairs program on Nebraska Public Media, now in its 29th season. Episodes are recorded at UNO’s television studio as part of a production class led by Michael Pacholski, and produced by students from UNO’s School of Communication. Hosted by Cathy Wyatt, the series features expert guests discussing timely issues to help Nebraskans better understand the forces shaping their world.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

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