Arianna Huffington announces a new non-profit organization that will work with Jay Rosen at NYU, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and Nick Penniman of the American News Project.
“As the newspaper industry continues to contract, one of the most commonly voiced fears is that serious investigative journalism will be among the victims of the scaleback. And, indeed, many newspapers are drastically reducing their investigative teams. Yet, given the multiple crises we are living through, investigative journalism is all the more important. As a result, all who recognize the indispensable role good journalism plays in our democracy are looking for ways to preserve it during this transitional period for the media. For too long, whether it’s coverage of the war in Iraq or the economic meltdown, we’ve had too many autopsies and not enough biopsies. The HuffFund is our attempt to change this. It will also provide new opportunities for seasoned journalists who have been laid off or forced into early retirement.”
The initial budget is $1.75 million and is already looking for journalists who want to participate.
UPDATE – On the other hand, Pat Rice at Northwest Florida Daily thinks giving newspapers non-profit status is a bad idea and explains why.
“Cardin, D-Md., introduced the proposal last week. It would make newspapers eligible for nonprofit status similar to public radio or public television, according to Editor and Publisher magazine.
“But is turning newspapers into another version of National Public Radio really the answer?
“I’m not so sure.”
