New nonprofit news organization
By Ron Buel
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Cornelius Swart
22nd Oct 2009
Hey this is great. We've done a lot of ground work on this locally at www.portlandmedialab.com. Love to share our thoughts with the group
Lenny Dee
25th Oct 2009
Hi Ron,
There is another Twin Cities model
Bill Lascher
13th Nov 2009
Thanks for this paper, Ron.
First, the answer is clear, though I imagine many people reading this and participating in the WMTM conference might agree: Yes, we should add to the planned efforts of OPB. Though I guess the question is valid. If OPB had a robust and inclusive effort focused on investigative and in-depth reporting we may want to collaborate in certain ways, but we shouldn't wait for them.
I'm interested whether anyone saw the recent CJR piece on starting an Investigative News Network. It seems like the discussion raised there is relevant to the discussion that may occur at WMTM.
Anyhow, back to this paper. I agree with Donohue and Lewis's idea that the conventional wisdom is "dead wrong." Investigative journalism doesn't have to be expensive. As we plan future investigative efforts, we should take care not to become too technologically focused. Yes, CAR is a very helpful tool for reporting, and having a strong CAR training element could help develop core skills for journalists, but let's be careful of getting too excited about "toys" and ignoring technique. Conventional wisdom suggests that glitz is important, but I really believe that tenacity, knowledge and passion is most important. That is what will rise to the top.
For that reason, I appreciated the Voice of San Diego duo's idea of the mission, and of learning to let the small stuff slide. Doing so will be crucial to us. I also think letting the small stuff slide may help us develop partnerships with other efforts and those who want to be the news outlets of record.
Johnson's idea, in another paper, of a networked model may allow this, by allowing focuses of different intensities aimed at different subjects.
Anyhow, those are my thoughts, now on to your other paper :)