As struggling newspapers across the country cut back on investigative reporting, a new kind of journalism venture is hoping to fill the gap.
Paul E. Steiger, who was the top editor of The Wall Street Journal for 16 years, and a pair of wealthy Californians are assembling a group of investigative journalists who will give away their work to media outlets.
The nonprofit group, called Pro Publica, will pitch each project to a newspaper or magazine (and occasionally to other media) where the group hopes the work will make the strongest impression. The plan is to do long-term projects, uncovering misdeeds in government, business and organizations.
Notice what extremely powerful group is not going to be investigated? You got it, Big Media!
Who's bankrolling this venture?
Pro Publica is the creation of Herbert M. and Marion O. Sandler, ...
The Sandlers are also major Democratic political donors and critics of President Bush. Last year, they sold Golden West to the Wachovia Corporation for about $26 billion, a deal which valued their personal shares at about $2.4 billion.
What prompted this move?
Mr. Sandler said his interest in investigative journalism has been abetted by friendships with reporters in the field.
“Both my father and my older brother always focused on the underdog, justice, ethics, what’s right,” Mr. Sandler said. “All of my life I’ve been driven crazy whenever I encounter corruption, malfeasance, mendacity, but particularly where those in power take advantage of those who have few resources.”
I wonder if they will start off with an investigation of Golden West's corrupt lending practices which is now coming back to homeowners forced out of their homes because they can't afford their mortgage payments?
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