Center for Independent Media

The Center for Independent Media is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded in May 2006 with the mission of funding websites that report news from an independent, investigative perspective. The Center looked to develop internet-based local reporting, which could in turn improve the level of public discourse. [ [http://newjournalist.org/about/ Center for Independent Media » About ] ] The organization operates an independent news network which consists of state-based web magazines in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and New Mexico, as well as a Washington, D.C. bureau. The Center for Independent Media states that its mission is to foster "diversity of ideas in the national debate by educating and training people on the use of new communications technologies, such as the Internet, as an alternative publishing and distribution system to traditional broadcast and print media." [ [http://www.newjournalist.org Center for Independent Media » Home ] ] .

History and Programs

The inaugural venture of the Center for Independent Media was a New Journalist Pilot Program whose aim was "to strengthen the network of progressive blogs on a state-by-state basis." [ [http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/NewJournalistApplication.pdf "New Journalist Application"] ] The Center has expanded that into a permanent New Journalist Training Program, and also provides support for online journalists through a New Journalist Editorial Program, which, in the words of the Center, "provides talented online journalists with direct support to conduct original reporting." Many of the participants in the editorial program are graduates of the training program. [ [http://newjournalist.org/about/ Center for Independent Media » About ] ]

Independent News Network

The Center for Independent Media's new network consists of five state-based sites and a Washington D.C. site. Colorado Confidential (now Colorado Independent) was the first to launch, in May of 2006, followed in August by Minnesota Monitor, now the Minnesota Independent. Iowa Independent and Michigan Messenger debuted in 2007. The Center launched a Washington Bureau and The Washington Independent in January 2008, followed by The New Mexico Independent in April 2008.

The Center's sites have already drawn praise. In May 2007, Jason Bane and other staff members at Colorado Confidential were recognized for coverage of online breaking news from the Society of Professional Journalists. Minnesota Monitor media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2007 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism [ [http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3386 Minnesota Monitor's Schmelzer wins a 2007 Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award ] ] and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards. [ [http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1862 Center for Independent Media's 'New Journalist Program' Bloggers Win Journalism Awards ] ] Minnesota Monitor was nominated for the Koufax Awards in 2007 [ [http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1867 Minnesota Monitor nominated for a Koufax Award ] ] , and Andy Birkey was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of LGBT issues. [ [http://journalist.org/awards/archives/000773.php Online Journalism Awards: 2007 Online Journalism Awards - Finalists ] ]

Notable Writers

The Center for Independent Media supports a number of writing fellows, including Spencer Ackerman, who has written for The New Republic and Talking Points Memo, and Dana Boone, who was a reporter for the Des Moines Register before joining Iowa Independent. Ed Brayton, a freelance writer who blogs at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, also writes for Michigan Messenger. Wendy Norris serves as managing editor of Colorado Independent, and also is a columnist for the Rocky Mountain Chronicle.

Donors

The Center for Independent Media is funded [ [http://newjournalist.org/donate/"CIM Funders"] ] by grants from 15 foundations, as well as individuals and foundations that wish to remain anonymous.

Criticisms

The Center for Independent Media has been attacked as being too closely tied to Media Matters, a progressive news watchdog group. The group rented office space from Media Matters, [ [http://www.poe.com/?p=1290 "Hillary leads army of paid bloggers"] ] however, the two groups are separate, and the Center for Independent Media receives no funding from Media Matters. [ [http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2006/10/02/mde-exclusive-minnesota-monitor-center-for-independent-media-exposed Mde Exclusive: Minnesota Monitor & Center For Independent Media Exposed | Minnesota Democrats Exposed ] ]

External links

* [http://newjournalist.org/ Center for Independent Media]
* [http://www.coloradoindependent.com/ Colorado Independent]
* [http://www.michiganmessenger.com/ Michigan Messenger]
* [http://www.iowaindependent.com/ Iowa Independent]
* [http://minnesotaindependent.com/ Minnesota Independent]
* [http://www.newmexicoindependent.com/ New Mexico Independent]
* [http://www.washingtonindependent.com/ Washington Independent]

Notes