News

Publishers: Neighborhood papers write vital social history

12.22.2008
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A group of longtime publishers gathered in San Francisco recently to discuss the role of neighborhood newspapers in an age of newspapers’ decline. When asked what defined a neighborhood paper, the publishers characterized their publications not just by geographic boundaries, but by a sense of historical and social purpose. They agreed that their papers help define the city’s eclectic neighborhoods in a way that larger papers cannot. Meeting at the Mission’s CounterPulse theater on Dec. 10, the publishers of El Tecolote, The New Bernal Journal, The New Fillmore, and The Potrero View swapped stories of struggle, community and history.

From the Newsroom

Finding, and funding, a way forward for local media

12.07.2008
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Written version of comments delivered at the Dec. 4 Public Press/Newsdesk.org fundraiser-friendraiser party in San Francisco I want to thank you all for coming. I think your presence here is a testament to the passionate belief of journalists and supporters of good journalism that a vibrant and independent press is essential to keeping our democratic system healthy.     Download a PDF version of the event brochure. But it’s clear that for generations, journalists have been reluctant, even resistant, to thinking about the business side of their profession.

Elections
San Francisco election fliers 2008

The Truthiness Report: Fact-checking SF election ads

12.06.2008
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In the weeks leading up to Election Day 2008, The Public Press joined with Newsdesk.org in a unique noncommercial news collaboration to fact-check the dizzying array of voter propositions on the San Francisco ballot.
The project, which was co-published on Newsdesk.org » Read more

From the Newsroom

Thanks for a successful Public Press/Newsdesk fundraiser!

12.06.2008
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The fundraiser for The Public Press and Newsdesk.org was truly a teamwork effort, and that came across loud and clear for the new people who crossed the transom into the unknown world of journalism entrepreneurialism Thursday night. I heard a few stories of people who had spent their whole journalism careers plugging away at their jobs, until they were suddenly thrust into free agency by The Man. The companies that own traditional media are now, unwittingly, creating legions of energetic potential competitors. And here’s one e-mail that I got yesterday from a nonjournalist supporter in our midst:
My boss and I were at your fund raiser last night. The best way to express my feelings is to duplicate here the text messages [she] and I exchanged during your speech: Me: "This guy is talking to my inner voice." [Boss]: "What is he telling you?" Me: "To give him my money for democracy." …