12:08 am - July 24, 2025
Recognised as Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association, the publisher has used AI to enhance storytelling, accessibility, and community engagement.
Paris Brown, publisher of The Baltimore Times, has been named Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association for her work modernising the 40-year-old title through the strategic use of artificial intelligence.
Under her leadership, the paper has integrated AI across its editorial and production workflows – from drafting articles and designing print and digital covers to managing projects and generating interactive content. Brown sees the technology as a tool to extend the newspaper’s mission. “We’re not afraid of AI. It’s our friend. It helps us serve our audience,” she said.
That audience includes readers who may struggle with traditional formats. Health content is now offered in audio form, with listeners able to select both voice and tone – a small but meaningful feature that helps make the content feel more personal and representative.
Brown has also used AI to support new editorial initiatives. One standout is Pedals of Resilience, a digital storytelling project celebrating the legacy of Black cyclists. Others include Best of Black Baltimore, which spotlighted Black-owned businesses through public nominations and a high-profile celebration, and Creatively Black Baltimore, a large-scale exhibition showcasing local artistic talent at the Inner Harbor.
Both campaigns were supported by the Knight x LMA BloomLab, which has worked with Brown and her team to accelerate digital transformation. The results speak to a wider ambition: to fuse local journalism with innovative tools and formats in ways that build deeper community engagement.
Brown’s vision for The Baltimore Times is collaborative and iterative. “Innovation has been in our DNA since we launched,” she said. “Our small size and agility enable our team to lead iteratively.”
She also serves on several industry boards and regularly speaks at events such as the Hacks/Hackers AI x Journalism Summit, helping to shape the wider conversation around AI in local media.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://baltimoretimes-online.com/featured/2025/05/16/paris-brown-the-baltimore-times-named-digital-innovator-of-the-year-by-local-media-association/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://localmedia.org/2024/02/how-the-baltimore-times-uses-ai-to-serve-audiences-better/ – An article detailing how The Baltimore Times, under Paris Brown’s leadership, utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance content creation, distribution, and audience engagement. Brown views AI as a tool to improve the quality of life for readers, using it for tasks like drafting, editing, and managing project timelines. The publication has also employed AI to generate unique print and digital covers, illustrations, and interactive experiences, such as the ‘Pedals of Resilience’ project, which honors the history of Black cyclists. Additionally, AI has been used to create audio versions of health stories, making them more accessible to the community.
- https://localmedia.org/2024/01/baltimore-times-celebrates-black-excellence-with-best-of-black-baltimore-campaign/ – An article about The Baltimore Times’ ‘Best of Black Baltimore’ campaign, which aims to spotlight and celebrate Black-owned businesses in the city. The campaign faced initial logistical challenges but overcame them with technical consulting from the Knight x LMA BloomLab. Strategic partnerships with sponsors and the use of eye-catching billboards helped amplify the campaign’s reach. The initiative fostered a deep sense of pride within the Black community, with local businesses actively promoting the nominations. The campaign culminated in a grand celebration in February, coinciding with Black History Month, and plans to generate significant revenue in future iterations.
- https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/ai-in-journalism/how-the-baltimore-times-is-KudGbMs5xkX/ – An episode of the ‘AI in Journalism’ podcast featuring Paris Brown, associate editor of The Baltimore Times, discussing how the publication uses AI to enhance local journalism. Brown shares insights into tasks like transcription, spell-check, and digital content management, enabling the team to focus on community engagement and in-depth reporting. The ‘Petals of Resilience’ project is highlighted as a case study in AI innovation, exploring how AI, VR, and AR bring the history of Black bicyclists in Baltimore to life, creating immersive experiences that engage diverse audiences. The conversation also covers ethical considerations of AI in journalism, including transparency, responsible use, and maintaining traditional journalistic standards.
- https://www.hackshackers.com/join-us-for-the-hacks-hackers-ai-x-journalism-summit-2025-may-7-8/ – An announcement for the Hacks/Hackers AI x Journalism Summit 2025, scheduled for May 7–8. The event aims to explore the intersection of AI and journalism, featuring discussions on AI literacy in the news industry, ethical considerations, and the future of news delivery. Paris Brown, publisher of The Baltimore Times, is highlighted as a participant, emphasizing her role in leveraging AI to drive digital transformation and revenue growth at the publication. The summit seeks to provide insights into how AI can be integrated into journalism to enhance content creation, distribution, and audience engagement.
- https://baltimoretimes-online.com/living-well/2024/06/14/creatively-black-baltimore-celebrating-artistry-at-inner-harbor-light-street-pavilion/ – An article about ‘Creatively Black Baltimore,’ an initiative by The Baltimore Times to celebrate the city’s artistic community. The event, held at the Inner Harbor Light Street Pavilion, features art displays, lectures, forums, and more, showcasing the talent of 100 Black Baltimore artists. The initiative aims to unite artists of all levels and backgrounds, celebrating their resilience and cultural pride. The event runs from June to December 2024 and is important for artists who have not received enough support in the city’s art programs, providing them with a chance to showcase their creativity and connect with the community.
- https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/LMC%2BAnnounces%2B2025%2BExecutive%2BBoard%2C%2BNew%2BBoard%2BChair/24189462.html – A press release announcing the Local Media Consortium’s (LMC) 2025 Executive Board and new Board Chair. Paris Brown, publisher of The Baltimore Times, is appointed to the LMC Executive Board. The release highlights her role in driving digital transformation and revenue growth at The Baltimore Times, including initiatives like the ‘Creatively Black Baltimore’ arts exhibition and a partnership with the Maryland Cycling Classic. The announcement underscores the LMC’s commitment to supporting local media companies in optimizing their digital business strategies and adapting to the evolving media landscape.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references a 2025 award naming Paris Brown Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association, suggesting current and timely content. No indications of outdated or recycled news were identified. The recent date of the event adds to freshness. The narrative also includes initiatives aligned with current trends in AI adoption, supporting currency.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Two direct quotes from Paris Brown are present, but no earliest online source for these specific quotes was found. This may indicate original or first publication of these statements, boosting credibility on originality. However, inability to independently verify earliest usage slightly lowers the score.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Baltimore Times’ own publication platform, which is not among widely recognised global or national reputable media outlets. While it appears factual and detailed, lack of external independent validation limits full confidence in source reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about AI integration in local journalism, community engagement projects, and leadership roles are plausible and consistent with known trends in local media innovation. Brown’s leadership role and activities align with external information about her involvement in journalism and media technology.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is fresh and plausible, reporting a recent award and detailing current initiatives using AI in local journalism. Quotes appear original though lack of external sourcing slightly reduces certainty. The narrative’s origin from a smaller, less globally recognised publication tempers the confidence level. Overall, the information is credible and consistent with known patterns in media innovation.
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