A Mission of Independence

David Bennahum — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:41:19 +0000

I thought I’d respond to Danny Glover’s post on Beltway Blogroll, where he argues the use of the word “independent” in the name of the Center for Independent Media and The Washington Independent is “misleading” Glover would prefer us to be called The Center for Progressive Media, and the Washington Progressive because “it would be far more truthful.” Yet, the Center’s mission, which can be read here is dedicated foremost to the advancement of independent news media, by training bloggers and citizen journalists to conduct investigative reporting that adheres to the highest standards of the profession.

When I founded the Center in May 2006, the thinking was that people were increasingly turning to the blogs to get “news I can’t find elsewhere” (See BlogAds reader surveys for this interesting and critical reader motivation) as a response to the lack of news diversity in the established news media. The consolidation of news sources has rapidly reduced the breadth of news sources available to the public. The Internet, and the self publishing model of the blogs, offers the best and most obvious solution to what I think we can all agree is a terrible trend in a democracy: the shrinking of the press, especially an independent press. So what I mean by “independent” is news media that isn’t part of one of the few major conglomerates that produce most of our news. When the bulk of our news comes from these conglomerates, what we are left with is a monotone of information: a very narrow spectrum of news to inform the public on the great issues of our time. And when it comes to holding government accountable for its actions, a homogeneous press owned by a few conglomerates with business before Congress and federal agencies is an effective guarantor of a toothless media. Media consolidation is bad for journalism and bad for democracy. At its core, CIM is looking to enhance the stability and capability of citizen journalists to produce news that can inform the public, (re)diversify the media, and to do so according to the best practices of journalism, with remuneration. Thus the name “Center for Independent Media”—our foremost mission is to advance, through our programs, an independent media that can fulfill its historic role in a republic.

As to The Washington Independent—the name reflects the core brand value we are trying to propagate in all our sites: independent thinking and independent media. The Washington Independent is part of a network that now has four state-based sites. That network we’re calling the Independent News Network, or IN Network. We’ve designed the gothic typeface letter “I” in Independent to reference the storied tradition of serious news informing the public. We aim to live up to that journalistic standard, while embracing the speed, vitality, and intimacy of the blog platform.

At the same time, there are values and beliefs beyond the importance of an independent media that we hold. Being transparent about those is easy—we do it on the Center’s web site and our existing state sites have vibrant opinion driven commentary, alongside the news, which is clearly labeled as such. We will do the same at The Washington Independent. Many of these opinion items will resonate as “progressive” in their worldview. Some will be “conservative”. But foremost, we will be breaking news. And that news will be be factually accurate. Just as the news in The Economist or The Nation is factual and accurate. Accuracy and fairness in journalism is neither progressive nor conservative, it’s merely good practice. We aim to do that foremost, while remaining independent of corporate interests and firmly non-partisan. I am looking forward to it.

Beyond the Beltway

David Bennahum — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:41:14 +0000

As I have no experience in a previous marriage, I’d say it’s all hope over experience.

At its core, the The Washington Independent will be informed by the states we’re in: Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota. The states in our network provide us with a unique editorial perspective: an understanding of how decisions in Washington are playing out in local communities that have enormous influence over the future direction of America. Our reporters in Washington will be asking themselves, at every turn, how is this issue or that candidate faring in the states we cover most closely. When we cover how Congress is dealing with global warming we will frame that discussion in how fuel economy legislation affects the auto industry and its employees in Michigan. As presidential candidates talk about immigration, we will look at how those proposals are received in Colorado with its large Hispanic population. And so on.

Our network provides a key advantage for us. At a time when the sources of news– especially local news– are shrinking dramatically (see Gannett and Tribune Co.’s layoffs), and the national news media undergoes more and more consolidation (see News Corp and The Wall Street Journal), more than ever it’s imperative that there be a diverse news media. Our democracy requires it. The Independent News Network, with The Washington Independent as its hub, is uniquely capable of working to fill the need for serious news about the great issues of our time, and their day to day effects on the communities where we live.

So, back to your question, The Washington Independent is technically "in the beltway" but driven by the politics of reality outside the beltway– otherwise known as America. The interplay of the two, both from DC to the states, and vice versa, will be at the core what makes us different from what has existed before, and what exists today. For every reporter in Washington, we’ll have four in the states. And as we open more states, that ratio will only increase.

The Washington Independent » David Bennahum

A Mission of Independence

Beyond the Beltway