Re: Digest for wmtminvestigate@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic

[Miriam Widman]

Bill -
Thanks for working on this.
Miriam

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From: "wmtminvesti...@googlegroups.com" <wmtminvesti...@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: "wmtminv...@googlegroups.com" <wmtminv...@googlegroups.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:10:53 +0000
To: Digest Recipients <wmtminvesti...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Digest for wmtminv...@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic

 Today's Topic Summary
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/wmtminvestigate/topics

• Draft Statement of Purpose <#group_thread_0>  [1 Update]
  

  
Topic: Draft Statement of Purpose <http://groups.google.com/group/wmtminvestigate/t/ccae6bd1a18f4ba8>
 

Bill Lascher <blas...@gmail.com> Jan 28 11:36AM -0800 ^ <#digest_top>
 
  
 I actually did this on Tuesday, but the problem with doing things early is
forgetting to actually send them when promised. That's why we're all
deadline addicts! Anyhow, here's my take on the statement of purpose. I left
some of the language intact from Tony's original and overhauled other areas
based on our notes. I hope I didn't take too many liberties. I'm attaching
it as a word doc and enclosing it following this sentence:
 
*Purpose: *
 
The recent decline of independent journalism threatens to leave the populace
ill prepared for self-determination. As Oregonians make decisions about
their lives and their society they will seek out compelling sources of
information upon which to base their decisions, even as those sources fade
in number and accuracy. Our goal is to draw public attention to information
and stories about the public and private institutions, forces, and
individuals impacting the lives of Oregonians. We will accomplish that goal
through a nonprofit and nonpartisan media organization focused on providing
high-quality investigative, analytical, and explanatory journalism online.
We believe that great online journalism should provide what great print and
broadcast journalism provide, while also making the best of what the web has
to offer.
 
 
 
 *How we will provide great journalism:*
 
Great journalism is brave, insightful and thorough. Great journalism hits
hard. Great journalism takes many forms.
 
 
 
 We will pursue great journalism through the following techniques:
 
 
 
 *Multimedia storytelling:* We will combine audio, video, graphics and other
technology to develop a rich sensory understanding of complex issues and
stories, but we will also continue to value high-quality written,
photographic, and audio narratives. We will aim to effectively tell
compelling stories, often using multiple approaches to appeal to diverse
audiences who absorb and process information in different ways.
 
 
 
 *Enhancing understanding:* We will introduce topics through clear, accurate
and rigorous reporting and repeatedly return to those topics, illustrate
links among and between our stories and with outside sources, and provide
relevant background information to offer our audiences deeper and more
complex understanding of those topics.
 
 
 *Engaging Visitors:* In addition to useful information about key issues,
our site will offer ways to engage with that information more actively.
 Stories on our website will appear alongside intuitive, customizable user
interfaces and resources allowing visitors to derive ongoing, dynamic value
by way of accessible and relevant public records and other data. Visitors
will also find opportunities for civic participation through information
about public meetings and events connected to our coverage.
 
 
 
 The public will also be able to help create new knowledge. Those who access
the site will be encouraged to offer suggestions for stories, to supply
relevant information solicited by our journalists, and to comment and
converse with others* *on published stories.
 
 
 
 
 
 *Our staff:*
 
Our staff will be configured to competently deliver the following skills:
editorial guidance and oversight, information gathering, written, visual and
audio storytelling, quality control and accuracy, accounting, business
development and strategy, data management and organization, technical
maintenance and innovation.
 
 
 
 *How we will sustain ourselves: *
 
We are prepared to explore a number of funding options, including:
foundation support, individual large donations, member donations,
underwriting (as opposed to advertising), the syndication of our content,
and individually targeted and designed solicitations for support. We will
also welcome partnerships with other print, broadcast and online
media organizations to help us better leverage our resources and disseminate
our stories.