Group Plans to Provide Investigative Journalism (Pro Publica)

[babylonsister]

Group Plans to Provide Investigative Journalism


By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
Published: October 15, 2007

As struggling newspapers across the country cut back on investigative reporting, a new kind of journalism venture is hoping to fill the gap.


Paul Steiger, a longtime Journal editor, will run Pro Publica

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.

Nothing quite like it has been attempted, and despite having a lot going for it, Pro Publica will be something of an experiment, inventing its practices by trial and error. It remains to be seen how well it can attract talent and win the cooperation of the mainstream media.

“It is the deep-dive stuff and the aggressive follow-up that is most challenged in the budget process,” said Mr. Steiger, who will be Pro Publica’s president and editor in chief. He gave up the title of managing editor of The Journal in May, but is staying on through the end of the year as editor at large; during his tenure, the newsroom won 16 Pulitzer Prizes.

Pro Publica is the creation of Herbert M. and Marion O. Sandler, the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corporation, based in California, which was one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders and savings and loans. They have committed $10 million a year to the project, while various foundations have provided smaller amounts. Mr. Sandler will serve as chairman of the group, which will begin operations early next year.

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.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/business/media/15publica.html?ex=1350100800&en=8eaeee023a4a82ea&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Steiger bailed when from the WSJ when NewsCorp took over...

My first thought was, "WSJ editor?":eyes:

However, I did a little digging and discovered he might be one of the few with a conscience. I hope this venture does what it promises.:thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

2. WSJ editor? I had the very same thought; WaJourn just mentioned

this article, and I was shocked. We shall see.

[theseanman]

3. Pro Publica

Great! The first thing they can do is look into the 9/11 Commission Report.