Investigative Editing Corps, a new project that launched last week, will link experienced investigative editors with local news organizations that want to do investigative reporting.
Its aim is to create a national network of editors willing to work on investigative and watchdog projects vital to local communities. There is no cost to selected newsrooms, and participating editors receive a stipend.
“Newsrooms across the country — whether online startups, television or newspapers reeling from waves of staff cutbacks — want to do high-impact stories vital to their communities,” said founder Rose Ciotta, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative editor. “Investigative Editing Corps aims to help them by linking those newsrooms to experienced investigative editors.”
The initiative was piloted with two newsrooms, the Olean (New York) Times Herald and the Beaver County (Pennsylvania) Times, after receiving funds in 2017 from the Jim Bettinger News Innovation Fund at the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford University.
Seed funding for the project then came from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation of Berkeley, Ca., whose president and CEO described the proposal as creative and timely.
“The painstaking, time-consuming work of investigative journalism that creates real change has never been more important. Despite multiple blows to newsroom staff and budgets, we know that dedicated reporters are eager to work on hard-hitting reporting projects that hold power to account in their communities,” Jonathan Logan, president and CEO of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, said in the announcement.
“These projects also need the often-unsung heroes of the newsroom — strong, seasoned editors. That’s why we are supporting the launch of Investigative Editing Corps.”
Editors and newsrooms interested in participating can find more information, including the group’s FAQ For Editors/Producers and FAQ for Newsrooms, at investigativeediting.org.
