Inspired by the hackerspace movement and open-source software culture, we are converting Newsdesk.org into a shared platform for independent journalists who need infrastructure for their public-interest work. As a trial run, we are offering ten invitations to news producers who’d like to use Newsdesk.org as a virtual hackerspace — for fundraising, collaboration, independent publishing, experimenting with software, and whatever else seems opportune. The site is fully functional, with 501(c)(3) status and a suite of hosted online publishing services. There is no publisher or editor, and no cost for participation. Journalists are free to use the site as they see fit for their public-interest work. Continue Reading →
Newsdesk News
Recent posts
‘Right Beneath Our Feet’: The Toxic Tour returns to Oakland
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Thinking about planting a garden this spring? Many West Oakland residents are doing the same — unaware that there is lead and cadmium in the soil and perhaps an old gasoline tank right under their driveway. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, Oakland Toxic Tour, The Toxic Tour
The Toxic Tour: Networked public-health journalism
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Newsdesk.org's award-winning, crowd-funded "Toxic Tour" is expanding to Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco, where we'll put the neglected issues and neighborhoods "on the map," and create a new model for independent journalism. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, Newsdesk News, The Toxic Tour, Bay Area Toxic Tour, LA Toxic Tour, map, mapping, Oakland Toxic Tour
The Los Angeles Toxic Tour: Request for Proposals
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[Download this RFP as a PDF]
Would you like to bring the award-winning “Toxic Tour” reporting project to Los Angeles? Newsdesk.org and Spot.Us welcome proposals from journalists interested in developing new coverage of pollution and environmental health in Los Angeles communities. Proposals are due Nov. 12 for short-term projects using text and multimedia to document pollution and communities in greater Los Angeles. Topics include neighborhoods, economics, industry, land use, transportation, politics, activism, environment and health. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, The Toxic Tour, Journalism, Media, pollution, Public Health
Newsdesk wins SPJ award
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The multimedia series Bay Area Toxic Tour: West Oakland was published by the nonprofit online news packager/distributor Newsdesk.org—and crowdfunded by through Spot.us. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, Newsdesk News, The Toxic Tour, Bay Area Toxic Tour, Economy, Environment, Environment & Health, SF Bay Area
Newsdesk.org relaunches Web site
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San Francisco designer Willo O'Brien and technologist Andrew A. Peterson worked closely with Newsdesk.org editor George Shirk to develop a new site, which sports plenty of social-media and self-promotional muscle, along with an elegant, clean design. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, CMS, Journalism, Media, online journalism
Newsdesk hires veteran journalist George Shirk
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With support from the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation, Newsdesk.org has hired print- and online-news veteran George Shirk as its first paid editor. Shirk will oversee content and network building for the site, and in particular for News You Might Have Missed (NYMHM)—Newsdesk's signature news service covering important but overlooked news and underserved communities. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News
Your Local Newsdesk presentation
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Newsdesk.org has received $25K from Ethics & Excellence in Journalism to develop a revenue-earning syndicated service providing public-interest journalism to underbudgeted commercial newsrooms. Content would be developed by a national network of independent but affiliated YOUR LOCAL NEWSDESK bureaus and fellowships. The bureaus will focus on important but overlooked news; fund themselves through earned income as well as individual donors and philanthropy; and develop extremely cost-efficient, peer-run newsrooms that are linked in a cross-promotional affiliate network. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, Featured
Newsdesk.org Receives Major Grant
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[Download a PDF of this press release]
Newsdesk.org has been selected by the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation to receive a $25,000 grant in support of the nonprofit, public-interest news service News You Might Have Missed (NYMHM). The Foundation’s generous gift will be used to develop NYMHM as a daily service that can earn income through syndication; this will support the production and promotion of important but overlooked news, and help improve coverage of underserved communities. A Vision for New Public Media
Syndication is at the heart of the LOCAL.NEWSDESK.ORG proposal to create new public-media infrastructure for local/regional journalism, at a time of crisis for the news industry. Local.Newsdesk.Org is a 2009 finalist in the WeMedia/Changemakers “Pitch-It” contest. It envisions a network of independent but affiliated online news bureaus that put professional journalists to work, and connect them more effectively to their communities. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News
Prisons & Public Health: A News Blog by Bernice Yeung
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Newsdesk.org’s latest collaboration with Spot.Us is “Prisons & Public Health,” a news blog by reporter Bernice Yeung tracking the public-health impacts of California’s prison system. Help crowdfund this project! Continue Reading →