[Newsdesk] "The Story of the Chicago Reader": A fundraising fable

Fri Dec 14 14:23:20 PST 2007

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     Newsdesk.org Winter Fund Drive
     Funds raised so far: $720   //   Goal:  $2,000
     People on List:  1,951   //   Weeks left:  2

     Donate online: http://artsandmedia.net/contributions/
     Get the latest online: http://newsdesk.org/

     * Full details on making a tax-deductible
       donation are at the end of this email. *

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December 14, 2007

Dear Friends of Newsdesk.org;

Thanks to the 15 people who've donated so far! You've been exceptionally generous, and we are zipping along to meeting our modest but vital fundraising goal. 

So thank you again! Your support goes directly to the production of News You Might Have Missed each week. 

On that note -- if you wish to see our services expanded to include daily content and renewed exclusive reporting, please let your friends know about Newsdesk.org, and invite them to match your own donation. 

* THE STORY OF THE CHICAGO READER

It's important to recognize that while commercial news outlets have been and are a vital part of our civic lives, profit expectations seem inevitably to undermine or compromise the process, in large ways and small. 

The latest example is the layoffs of four celebrated writers at the Chicago Reader, following that alt-weekly's purchase by Atlanta's Creative Loafing. 

The fascinating thing about this situation is that the editor, Alison True, acknowledged that the writers writers "have produced some of the paper's most exciting and important work," but that the layoffs were a "necessary adjustment" to "market forces."

Here are a few links for you to explore the story yourself: 

   "Changes at the Chicago Reader"
   Chicago Reader, Dec. 14, 2007
   http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/letters/071213/

   "Chicago Reader cuts four of its 'most impactful reporters'"
   Romanesko, Dec. 7, 2007
   http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=134099

* GOOD NEWS: JOURNALISTS AT WORK

Newsdesk.org was founded in direct response to these of challenges. 

We are working to create an outlet for the good works of all the talented, dedicated but laid-off, outsourced and downsized journalists, who, along with the general public, are the biggest victims of commercial news media's decline. In contrast, Newsdesk.org is:

 - Operated entirely by reporters, editors and news producers
 - Funded by its readers
 - Backed by a nonprofit business model that trumps the negative financial  
   pressures of the commercial sector. 

We know there's never been a "golden age" for news media. But we're committed to putting into practice the ideals of the Fourth Estate as the foundation of democracy. 

* HOW YOU CAN HELP

These are big aspirations, and making good on them has not been easy. But we are always learning from the challenges, and in 2008 have big plans to continue developing and adapting our services, to serve you more effectively and continue expanding our coverage.

Your donations of $25, $50, $100, $500 or more will help us keep Newsdesk.org alive and growing in the new year and beyond. Details on how to make a tax-deductible donation are at the end of this email -- or just click through to our secure online donor page:

      Newsdesk.org Donor Page
      http://artsandmedia.net/contributions/

All donations are handled by our sponsor, Independent Arts & Media, a nonprofit producer's co-op that expands civic dialogue by increasing access to independent voices.

We'll be back next week with one final message for you, and then wrap our 2007 season and gear up for 2008.

Thanks so much for your support of nonprofit, commercial-free journalism!

Sincerely,

Josh Wilson
Editor * Newsdesk.org/ 
415/861-5302 

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HERE'S HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT NEWSDESK.ORG IN 2008

     Newsdesk.org Winter Fund Drive
     Funds raised so far: $720   //   Goal:  $2,000
     People on List:  1,951   //   Weeks left:  2

     Recommended donations: $25, $50, $100, $500 or more.

     Donate online: http://artsandmedia.net/contributions/

     Snail Mail (checks only!): Independent Arts & Media
     PMB 821 * 601 Van Ness Ave., Ste. E * SF, CA 94102

     * All donations are tax-deductible. *
     * Thank you for your generous support! *

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