Journalism That Matters

About this grant

This grant will provide partial support for the Journalism That Matters conference which will take place in Washington, D.C., on August 7-8, 2007. The goal of the conference is to facilitate critical discussion on the future and sustainability of journalism. The unique approach of this effort is to assemble editors, publishers, writers, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, public advocates, independent and "citizen" journalists who will focus on defining the ownership, management, location and sustainability of a "next newsroom" prototype in at least one community in the United States, to launch in early- to mid-2008. The conference is intended to be the start of a long-term effort to nurture the "next newsroom" prototype. As a result, this grant will also support post-conference follow-up efforts, including assisting in developing the support base in the host community, advising on selection of technical and marketing tools and resources, establishing of the desired ownership structure, documenting of start-up efforts (for replication), engaging investors or funders (depending on the ownership format), and assisting in defining staff requirements and recruiting efforts. The University of Massachusetts – Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, was established in 1867 as a land-grant agricultural college.