Posted by jessdrkn on June 2, 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Focus: “to devise new strategies for coverage of critical issues affecting the lives of Californians and to engage Californians more fully in the democratic process by combining best journalistic practices with the power of new media tools”; blog posts include discussion and analysis on California media
Launched: First blog posts appear September 2008, group founded May 2007.
Employees/Writers: Founded by Louis Freedberg, Ph.D., a San Francisco Chronicle higher education and Washington correspondent until 2007. Five other staff members. Nineteen-member board of directors; supported by high-profile foundations.
Site: californiauncovered.typepad.com
This initiative is based on the premise that the turmoil in the news industry should not be left to the media to resolve, but needs the involvement and support of key California constituencies, including the non-profit sector, academia, philanthropy and civic leadership.
Sample entries: “Are online newspapers sustainable” (last post, March 2009, as of June 2); “The disappearing Capitol photographer”; “A revenue milestone at Latimes.com?”
Posted in California | Tagged: California, industry analysis, nonprofit | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on June 2, 2009
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Focus: “online publication dedicated to news that matters for people in our region”; ”Dedicated to core values of journalism”; original content and aggragated national, world content; news, arts, lifestyles, health, science, neighborhoods
Launched:
Funding: Non-profit, donation-driven
Employees/Writers: 6 reporters, 6 editors, other auxiliary staff; crowdsourcing and open contributions through “Public Insight Network” where “your knowledge is news.”
Multi-media component
Site: stlbeacon.org
Collaborations with public television, local library association and Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. A pull quote from the About page:
Founded by veteran journalists, the Beacon aims to serve and engage citizens by offering a distinctive new news medium. Join in this effort by sharing your experience, insight and suggestions. Together, we can build a Beacon that illuminates our region and shines outward to the world.
From Public Insight Network write-up:
Thanks to e-mail and the Internet, our editors and reporters can quickly find and learn from thousands of people who have experience or knowledge on a story we are covering. We call this the Public Insight Network, and it relies on people like you — our public sources.
You have knowledge and insights that can help us cover the news in greater depth and uncover stories we might not otherwise find.
Sample stories: “Republican Bill Corrigan launches campaign for St. Louis County executive”; Beacon art critic: “Akerman’s work deserves the time it takes to view”; “Why the United States needs GM — and other American car companies — to succeed”
Posted in Missouri | Tagged: Missouri, nonprofit, online-only, St. Louis | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on June 2, 2009
Location: Phoenix
Focus: Arizona state capitol, legislative issues
Launched: January 2009
Founders: 4 reporters laid off from the East Valley Tribune.
Funding: LLC owners, subscription service paywall.
Web site: arizonaguardian.com
Location: Phoenix
Sample stories: “[Gov. Jan] Brewer unveils budget, girds for legislative battle”; “[Sen. John] McCain staffer wanted by Phoenix authorities”
From “About us” page: “[The founding reporters] also have broken ground in the creation of a new business model for Arizona journalism. Epler, Giblin, Reinhart and Welch serve as equal co-owners of Arizona Guardian, L.L.C., the Guardian’s parent company. Joining the four is publisher Bob Grossfeld who is the fifth equal co-owner and responsible for all non-editorial operations.”
In the news: Here’s a February 2009 MediaShift story — good depth — about The Arizona Guardian (and Heat City, another AZ news start-up).
Posted in Arizona | Tagged: Arizona, nonprofit, paywall, state politics | Leave a Comment »
