David Westphal: January 2009 archive
Newspapers may seek philanthropy to support news-gathering
January 22, 2009
Could newspapers and local broadcasters begin seeking philanthropic support from the civic foundations and private donors that are starting to bankroll news non-profits? It appears entirely likely. With for-profit media watching their news-gathering resources dwindle, some editors say they're open to the idea of seeking help from donors.Charlotte Hall, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, told me the idea raises multiple questions about how newspapers could solicit philanthropic support and still retain credibility. But bottom line? "I believe that a model could emerge for foundations to fund some local reporting at newspapers -- investigative reporting or an important local beat, for example," she said in an e-mail. "A new kind of firewall would be needed to assure independent reporting and unencumbered editing." More...
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First-year grand total for Knight's civic program: $17 million
January 14, 2009
Can community news non-profits persuade hometown civic foundations to help bankroll their operations? The answer looks like a resounding yes.In the first year of the Knight Foundation's $24 million, five-year program, 100 of the nation's community foundations sought some of the action, pledging their own philanthropy in applications for matching Knight grants. That amounts to nearly 15 percent of the nation's civic foundations – and many of them submitted more than one grant proposal.
Knight officials were taken aback by the turnout. "The biggest surprise for me was how many responded in the first year," said Trabian Shorters, Knight's vice president of communities. "It's not unusual with these grant initiatives that people wait and see. So that was a big and pleasant surprise." Shorters said the response indicated there's some "pent-up demand on this front." More...
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GlobalPost: A startup treads where big media retreat
January 8, 2009
Journalists can't resist "man-bites-dog" stories. Here's an example of one they'll find irresistible: Even as media companies shed revenue and staff in ever-growing numbers, a new company will spring to life Jan. 12 that will employ about 80 journalists with the un-modest aim of covering the world. And... it aims to make money.Boston-based GlobalPost is a Web startup that will try to fill a void left by newspapers and network television, which collectively have pulled back sharply in deploying journalists abroad. If it's successful, GlobalPost will be one of the most spectacular against-the-grain stories since news companies began their accelerating revenue slide almost two years ago.
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