Nobody knows your community and the challenges it faces better than you and your neighbors. But getting the media to pay attention to the needs of your community during an election year can be difficult. How can your voice be heard above the sound bites and din of the horse race?

In 2012, you can share your concerns with reporters from award-winning news organizations at your local coffeehouse or bar. KQED News and other community and news organizations are coming together to hold a series of meetups in Bay Area communities.

Tell our reporters what you think we should be covering in your community and what problems you think government officials should be addressing. What do you want for your taxes? What do you expect from your politicians? We want to hear from you, and your answers may help shape our coverage of the Bay Area this election year.

Keep checking this page for information about open newsrooms in your community. Planning on attending? Leave a comment below and let us know what you want to talk about!

Here are photos from our May open newsrooms in Richmond with the The Bay Citizen, a project of the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Stories from the Open Newsrooms

• Richmond Residents Tell Us Why Their City Isn't All Chevron and Crime (KQED's News Fix, July 9, 2012)
• Reader Tip Sparks Bay Citizen Story (The Bay Citizen, July 16, 2012)
• Alameda Plans to Replace Fire Station Despite Uncertainty (The Bay Citizen, July 16, 2012)
• Assertive Alamedans Attend Our Open Newsrooms (The Bay Citizen, May 24, 2012)
• Photos: Open Newsroom Draws Crowd in Oakland (The Bay Citizen, May 23, 2012)

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