ProPublica.org: A Big Step Forward in Investigative Journalism

These guys might represent the future of investigative reporting:

ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that will produce investigative journalism in the public interest. Our work will focus exclusively on truly important stories, stories with "moral force." We will do this by producing journalism that shines a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong and on the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them.

Investigative journalism is at risk. Many news organizations have increasingly come to see it as a luxury. Today's investigative reporters lack resources: Time and budget constraints are curbing the ability of journalists not specifically designated "investigative" to do this kind of reporting in addition to their regular beats. This is therefore a moment when new models are necessary to carry forward some of the great work of journalism in the public interest that is such an integral part of self-government, and thus an important bulwark of our democracy.

The business crisis in publishing and -- not unrelated -- the revolution in publishing technology are having a number of wide-ranging effects. Among these are that the creation of original journalism in the public interest, and particularly the form that has come to be known as "investigative reporting," is being squeezed down, and in some cases out.

Of particular interest to me is "scandal watch", right hand side column, where they report ongoing scandals. Frequently, big reports of corruption appear in the news one day, then disappear the next. Scandal watch focuses on stories which are an ongoing big deal. here's one example.

Follow Craig Newmark on Twitter: www.twitter.com/craignewmark

Comments

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Thank you.

[JScott]

An excellent alternative to the corporate news media crap.
Hate to say it but 'journalism as it used to be'.

[InofTouch]

It like Digg but serious...­Newscloud still dose it for me though

[booksnmore4you]

Bookmarked for my daily rounds, thanks.

[Merlin7]

What a great website! I've added it to my Favorites list.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Very welcome company. We need ten more of these. I'm wondering whether an Obama election might loosen the ties somewhat on real investigative journalism. It's a real struggle to offset the conglomerate mentality of profit-driven-media with grass roots reporting. We see the grass roots relegated to public access channel on cable; often valuable programming without the financial resources.

I always say that my greatest nightmare is waking up some morning and finding that there are only two corportate entities left in this country; the remainder have been merged, swallowed up or banished; two mega-conglomerates that provide all our services, products and industry. Two mega-conglomerates that engage in a slow death dance of ........I'­ve gottcha...­then there was one.

[JScott]

Last paragraph sounds like the world in the movie 'Rollerball' (the original one, not the remake).

[MrsWakely]

oo

[PioneerKing]

CRAIG:

If your friends at propublica.org are serious they will begin to expose the McCain and his family's connection to unscrupulous defense contractors.
Also, McCain has a couple of non-profits that he established years ago that have benefited greatly from the clients of McCain’s lobbyist friends.
They will also put some sunshine on the manner in which the Bush/Cheney administration has changed the definition of KIA and limited the theater of combat; which causes the total fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan to be under reported. Just do a Lexis-Nexis search and search the obits of on-line newspapers.