The Future of Journalism: Nonprofit?

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2011/04/10/Panel_The_State_of_Nonprofit_Investigative_Reporting

Richard Tofel of ProPublica, discusses the future of nonprofit journalism in America and its dependence on philanthropic support. "Certain kinds of journalism are public goods, they're going to need to be funded as public goods," argues Tofel.

-----

Panel: The State of Nonprofit Investigative Reporting Journalism School Library, North Gate Hall

The 3-day Logan Symposium now in its 5th year, serves a number of key constituencies. Culling together a group of dedicated investigative reporters, academics, philanthropists, media experts and graduate students, the invite only event is an industry must. Once a humble commitment to host an annual lecture in the name of its benefactors, the Logan Symposium quickly rose in popularity as "one of the most influential events of its kind," according to the Seattle Times. Covered and attended by a veritable 'who's who' in investigative reporting, the conference dissects controversial topics in the field, hosts internationally renowned panelists, and examines key factors of change in investigative reporting.

Richard Tofel is general manager of ProPublica, with responsibility for all of its non-journalism operations, including communications, legal, development, finance, and budgeting, and human resources. He was formerly the assistant publisher of The Wall Street Journal and, earlier, an assistant managing editor of the paper, vice president, corporate communications for Dow Jones & Company, and an assistant general counsel of Dow Jones. More recently, he served as vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Rockefeller Foundation, and earlier as president and chief operating officer of the International Freedom Center, a museum and cultural center that was planned for the World Trade Center site.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• non
• for
• profit
• philanthropy
• donations
• donors
• private
• public
• funding
• journalism
• news
• media
• reporting
• journalists
• market
• value
• revenue
• fora.tv
• foratv
• fora
• tv

[szatmar666]

there is a difference between "public service" and "philanthropy". Philanthropy is in essence public relations: the rich selling the idea that in fact they are compassionate human beings too, which they are most certainly not. "Public" on the other hand means: 100% funded by taxpayers which is a legitimate way of funding journalism. That's why BBC and CBC does superior journalism to anything the CPB is putting out through NPR which is funded by private charities and rich family foundations.

[liquidminds]

people shouldn't be able to make money with anything that's a public good. Maximizing Money-output always reduces the Quality making everyone pay for the money the "business-man" wants for himself, just because we cannot not-buy food, gas, .....

There is enough luxurious stuff out there for people to make money with. The greater good is more important than individual wealth.

[2323jimmy23]

we just skip the ads no matter how much they try to cram in the first 3 seconds so please make it more comfortable and get rid of them.

[kobidreamer]

There are two essential elements missing from the commercial news.

The obvious one being a fair balance in the selection of stories being published.

The second and even more important one would be context.

We need the main sources of information to complement every piece with at the very least a blurb of background informations to allow readers to relate the new bit of information to the big picture. This element being absent or inadequate is an important factor in public misinformation.

[kobidreamer]

I'm afraid this absolutely critical point will remain ignored for yet a long time.

It is a major flaw in our democracies that is turning them into an absurd proposition. Commercial news simply cannot be the main source of information.

The need to sell the news keep the media centered around a form of "Edutainment" that is far removed from the fair and complete information

that is required for a properly working democracy.

[greenghost2008]

It's not a market failure if something you want isn't made alot you (insert mean words)

[squidtantrum]

I think this is an excellent idea. Once money comes into the equation, motives are made. And motives are exactly what we DON'T need in journalism...

Taking out a dependence on revenue and donation will eliminate massive amounts of manipulation in the media.

[AgrivatedKillah]

Hm.. hope this video is awesome.