Peterborough Currents is a reader-funded independent news outlet that tells local stories with rigour and empathy. We’re committed to producing journalism that fosters connection among community members, focusing on issues that affect real people’s lives. As a locally owned and operated business, we keep the community’s interests front-of-mind in every decision we make. And through the generous support of more than 200 community members who support us, we’re able to keep all of our work free for everyone to read.
Our story
Co-founders Ayesha Barmania and Will Pearson first met in 2017 and were soon discussing the need for a new media project in Peterborough – one that dug deep on unreported issues and connected the community through journalism. So they made it happen. For three years, they produced in-depth audio documentaries and interviews about Peterborough and released them as a podcast. They covered the arts, culture and politics of the city with passion, and picked up some industry awards along the way.
In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ayesha and Will realised there was a need for more community-centred reporting on the health crisis, and so they expanded Peterborough Currents to include in-depth articles and investigations. Since then, Peterborough Currents has launched a website, built a team, worked to get the community on board and transitioned from a volunteer model to a reader-funded model. Building a new independent publication—one that relies on funding from readers, not advertisers or an out-of-town company—has been difficult at times. And still, our readers made it possible—you told us what you needed to know and supported us when we delivered it.
We’re practising a deeper kind of journalism, one that doesn’t just report on press releases. We frame things in a human way, with people at the centre of the news, focusing on issues affecting real people’s lives.
Guided by our community’s needs, we strive to be our readers’ guide to understanding local issues better. We weren’t founded to compete with other publications, but to strengthen Peterborough’s existing media by adding people-centred reporting on bigger issues.
Our journalism is powered by Peterborough because you – our readers – are at the centre of it all.
Because our goal is to foster a more connected Peterborough and deeper understanding of the place we call home, we keep our journalism free for everyone through the financial support of our readers. We’ve been able to launch an editorial fellowship and hire two fellows through reader contributions, putting more locally produced journalism into our community. Learn more about supporting Peterborough Currents here.
We’re still writing our story, and we’re working to build capacity and sustainability into Currents. Our goal is to become a permanent part of the Peterborough media community, and you can help make that happen. You can sign up today to become a financial supporter.
We would be happy to hear from you. Email us at publishers [at] peterboroughcurrents.ca or see below for individual emails.
Land acknowledgement
Peterborough Currents is grateful for the opportunity to work on the traditional and treaty territories of the Mississauga (Michi Saagig) Anishnaabeg.
Our Team
Ayesha Barmania
Co-publisher
Ayesha Barmania is a journalist and documentary-maker primarily working in sound for broadcast and podcasts. Ayesha started working in journalism while a student at Trent University (‘11) as a reporter for Arthur Newspaper. After graduating, they* worked at the CBC in Toronto for many years before leaving to work as a freelancer. They co-founded Peterborough Currents with the ambition to learn about the community through storytelling. Ayesha is also the founder of local non-profit Peterborough Independent Podcasters, a sound artist, and teacher of audio production skills.*Ayesha is transgender and uses they/them pronouns.
Will Pearson
Co-publisher
Will Pearson grew up in Peterborough, moved away to pursue graduate studies, and returned in 2016. He helped to launch Peterborough Currents as a way of reconnecting with the community after he moved back. With almost ten years of journalism experience in local, regional and national media, he is thrilled to be doing journalism in and for a community he loves.
