Comments on: The Pocantico Declaration: Creating a Nonprofit Investigative News Network http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/ A conference on new models for watchdog journalism at the Pocantico Conference Center Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:12:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Fabio Turone http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-53 Fabio Turone Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:53:11 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-53 I'd also like to know what you are planning at the international level: I am Italian, and work in Italy, but I am a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (along with a couple other US groups) and I'd like to support investigative science journalism with the newly formed group of Science Writers in Milan, Italy (sciencewriters.it) that I currently direct. Fabio Turone, Milan, Italy I’d also like to know what you are planning at the international level: I am Italian, and work in Italy, but I am a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (along with a couple other US groups) and I’d like to support investigative science journalism with the newly formed group of Science Writers in Milan, Italy (sciencewriters.it) that I currently direct.

Fabio Turone, Milan, Italy

]]> By: Nonprofit news organizations form network but bring different priorities » Nieman Journalism Lab http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-45 Nonprofit news organizations form network but bring different priorities » Nieman Journalism Lab Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:25:28 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-45 [...] established national centers wasn’t readily apparent in the the flourishing rhetoric of the Pocantico Declaration released by attendees on Wednesday. A steering committee formed by the declaration is charged to [...] [...] established national centers wasn’t readily apparent in the the flourishing rhetoric of the Pocantico Declaration released by attendees on Wednesday. A steering committee formed by the declaration is charged to [...]

]]> By: Wendy Bacon http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-40 Wendy Bacon Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:51:19 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-40 This attempt to collaborativey promote and build investigative journalism sounds great. Is an international network envisaged? Wendy Bacon Director, Australian Centre for Independent Journalism Australian Director, Global Environmental Journalism Initiative This attempt to collaborativey promote and build investigative journalism sounds great. Is an international network envisaged?
Wendy Bacon
Director, Australian Centre for Independent Journalism
Australian Director, Global Environmental Journalism Initiative

]]> By: Dennie Williams http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-34 Dennie Williams Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:20:45 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-34 Promoting Investigative Reporters Needed Isn't it amazing how all those in charge of newspapers, televised and radio news as well as magazines and Internet news sites bemoan the dearth of investigative reporting due to more than a professional recession? Yet none of those publishers, editors, news managers or broadcast or Internet news directors with the resources seems to be interested in creating fair opportunities for freelance investigative reporters! Thousands of experienced reporters have been bought out or laid off in the past five or more years! Think about the loss of those decades of journalistic experience! How or when will it ever be harnessed again? Isn't that the creative power which intimidates government and corporate corruption on all levels of society? So without it where is the news policing power to help protect the public? In four years of freelancing after 39 1/2 years of news reporting, I have had some success in moving my investigative stories, mostly into one Internet site, only to be paid pittance for months and months of work (averaging $300 to $400 a story). Meanwhile, I have spent frustrating weeks and months attempting to place my stories with competitors elsewhere. Either no editor answers emails or phone calls, or when they do, their lack of effort in reading the stories or the suggestions is simply incredible. To top it off and explain themselves, some editors even insult the story or the writer. But afterward the story appears elsewhere on the Internet and spreads to more than a dozen other websites sometimes with enthusiastic commentary from readers. The editors or news directors are all too busy with their own agendas and their diminutive favorite cadre of handpicked or fame picked reporters that they can't find the time for a freelancer. Yet indeed they advertise their sites as welcoming freelance writers. It has become so notoriously bad a market for experienced freelancers that some laid off and bought out reporters in New Jersey started their own Internet site and are mostly working for FREE!!! Amazing! In the meantime, what are all those media owners, news executives, publishers and editors making? It's time for a change! Some charitable journalist or media fanatic with the funds and resources needs to start a website promoting investigative freelance reporters nationwide! That site could quite easily create a list of outstanding investigative reporters nationwide - complete with their resumes, special abilities and past stories. It could then attempt to pair those reporters up with news media not only locally, but nationwide, and even internationally. Who is up to this critical task?! If there is no one stepping forward, then this country is in for some prolonged periods of expanded government and corporate corruption WALL TO WALL! Promoting Investigative Reporters Needed Isn’t it amazing how all those in charge of newspapers, televised and radio news as well as magazines and Internet news sites bemoan the dearth of investigative reporting due to more than a professional recession? Yet none of those publishers, editors, news managers or broadcast or Internet news directors with the resources seems to be interested in creating fair opportunities for freelance investigative reporters! Thousands of experienced reporters have been bought out or laid off in the past five or more years! Think about the loss of those decades of journalistic experience! How or when will it ever be harnessed again? Isn’t that the creative power which intimidates government and corporate corruption on all levels of society? So without it where is the news policing power to help protect the public? In four years of freelancing after 39 1/2 years of news reporting, I have had some success in moving my investigative stories, mostly into one Internet site, only to be paid pittance for months and months of work (averaging $300 to $400 a story). Meanwhile, I have spent frustrating weeks and months attempting to place my stories with competitors elsewhere. Either no editor answers emails or phone calls, or when they do, their lack of effort in reading the stories or the suggestions is simply incredible. To top it off and explain themselves, some editors even insult the story or the writer. But afterward the story appears elsewhere on the Internet and spreads to more than a dozen other websites sometimes with enthusiastic commentary from readers. The editors or news directors are all too busy with their own agendas and their diminutive favorite cadre of handpicked or fame picked reporters that they can’t find the time for a freelancer. Yet indeed they advertise their sites as welcoming freelance writers. It has become so notoriously bad a market for experienced freelancers that some laid off and bought out reporters in New Jersey started their own Internet site and are mostly working for FREE!!! Amazing! In the meantime, what are all those media owners, news executives, publishers and editors making? It’s time for a change! Some charitable journalist or media fanatic with the funds and resources needs to start a website promoting investigative freelance reporters nationwide! That site could quite easily create a list of outstanding investigative reporters nationwide – complete with their resumes, special abilities and past stories. It could then attempt to pair those reporters up with news media not only locally, but nationwide, and even internationally. Who is up to this critical task?! If there is no one stepping forward, then this country is in for some prolonged periods of expanded government and corporate corruption WALL TO WALL!

]]> By: John Carey http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-32 John Carey Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:43:59 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-32 The United Nations is vastly unreported. Only scandal seems to make it into the press and TV. But I have been covering important UN events for a number of years in a weekly free print and local TV program called "United Nations Week: New and Views." I would be glad to submit this for use by the new network. I have also for nearly 43 years published monthly "United Nations Law Reports" which are unparalled anywhere else that I have ever heard of. I am an accredited correspondent at the United Nations with access to press conferences and all documentation. I have always been astonished at the lack of UN coverage. The United Nations is vastly unreported. Only scandal seems to make it into the press and TV. But I have been covering important UN events for a number of years in a weekly free print and local TV program called “United Nations Week: New and Views.” I would be glad to submit this for use by the new network.

I have also for nearly 43 years published monthly “United Nations Law Reports” which are unparalled anywhere else that I have ever heard of. I am an accredited correspondent at the United Nations with access to press conferences and all documentation. I have always been astonished at the lack of UN coverage.

]]> By: Tiffany Edwards Hunt http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-31 Tiffany Edwards Hunt Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:35:20 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-31 Count me in. Keeping people honest in Hawaii with www.bigislandchronicle.com... ALOHA... Journalist til I die... Count me in. Keeping people honest in Hawaii with http://www.bigislandchronicle.com... ALOHA… Journalist til I die…

]]> By: Eye on Williamson » Coalition forms to create Investigative News Network http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-29 Eye on Williamson » Coalition forms to create Investigative News Network Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:52:43 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-29 [...] explore collaborative possibilities for investigative journalism. Today, the groups released their Pocantico Declaration, spelling out the immediate next steps to formalize their partnership in the Investigative News [...] [...] explore collaborative possibilities for investigative journalism. Today, the groups released their Pocantico Declaration, spelling out the immediate next steps to formalize their partnership in the Investigative News [...]

]]> By: Join or die? « Looking Left http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-26 Join or die? « Looking Left Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:09:23 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-26 [...] Network. The group, which formed out of the 3-day Pocantico conference that finished today, posted it’s charter online. Their central mission is simple: to aid and abet, in every conceivable way, individually [...] [...] Network. The group, which formed out of the 3-day Pocantico conference that finished today, posted it’s charter online. Their central mission is simple: to aid and abet, in every conceivable way, individually [...]

]]> By: JULIE GAY http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-24 JULIE GAY Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:19:57 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-24 I am in Rocehster, MN. This is a town with a struggling paper, TV and a Minnesota Public radio outlet. The paper doesn't do in-depth. The local MPR reporter very clearly stated she does not want to receive my blog on local government issues. I don't opine, but rather start with some sort of question that I ask officials about. The answers usually many more rocks need to be turned over. I don't have a local group to compare notes with - avenues of investigtion, sharing thoughts etc. I am not a radio reporter.\ What can I do, even to be part of your new network? I am in Rocehster, MN. This is a town with a struggling paper, TV and a Minnesota Public radio outlet. The paper doesn’t do in-depth. The local MPR reporter very clearly stated she does not want to receive my blog on local government issues. I don’t opine, but rather start with some sort of question that I ask officials about. The answers usually many more rocks need to be turned over.

I don’t have a local group to compare notes with – avenues of investigtion, sharing thoughts etc. I am not a radio reporter.\

What can I do, even to be part of your new network?

]]> By: Colin Fogarty http://cpublici.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/the-pocantico-declaration-creating-a-nonprofit-news-network/#comment-20 Colin Fogarty Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:59:36 +0000 http://watchdogsatpocantico.com/?p=162#comment-20 The Pocantico Declaration of July 1 is an inspiring document. This must happen. The Northwest News Network (N3) proves on a regional level that collaboration works, that pooling resources allows news outlets to serve their audiences better, and that nonprofit journalism remains a stable funding model, when others falter. The same can work for investigative journalism. Congratulations. The Pocantico Declaration of July 1 is an inspiring document. This must happen. The Northwest News Network (N3) proves on a regional level that collaboration works, that pooling resources allows news outlets to serve their audiences better, and that nonprofit journalism remains a stable funding model, when others falter. The same can work for investigative journalism. Congratulations.

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