Center for Independent Media
Encyclopedia
The American Independent News Network, formerly The Center for Independent Media until January 2010, is an American
501(c)(3) non-profit founded in May 2006 with the stated mission of funding websites that report news from an independent, investigative perspective. The organization looked to develop internet-based local reporting, which could in turn improve the level of public discourse. It operates an independent news network which consists of state-based daily news sites The Colorado Independent, The Florida Independent, The Iowa Independent, The Michigan Messenger, The Minnesota Independent, The New Mexico Independent, and The Washington Independent.
The network states that its mission is to "investigate and disseminate news that impacts public debate and advances the common good. To accomplish its mission, The American Independent News Network operates an independent online news network. An informed citizenry is a fundamental principle of civil society and American democracy; in the words of the Supreme Court in Garrison v. Louisiana: 'Speech concerning public affairs is more than self-expression; it is the essence of self government.' Our reporting emphasizes the positive role of democratically elected government in securing the common good and social welfare, and the continuing benefits of our founding culture of egalitarian government by the people, for the people."
. Its inaugural venture was a New Journalist Pilot Program whose aim was "to strengthen the network of progressive blogs on a state-by-state basis," providing short term financial support for qualified applicants, while being trained. The Center expanded that into a permanent New Journalist Training Program, and later provided support for online journalists through its New Journalist Editorial Program, which, in the words of the Center, provides "talented online journalists with direct support to conduct original reporting." Many of the participants in the editorial program are graduates of the training program.
The purpose of the organization expanded to creating and supporting a network of independent online news organizations. the network consists of six state-based sites and a Washington D.C. site. Colorado Confidential (now The Colorado Independent) was the first to launch, in May of 2006, followed in August by The Minnesota Monitor, now the Minnesota Independent
. Iowa Independent and Michigan Messenger debuted in 2007. The Washington Bureau and The Washington Independent were launched in January 2008, followed by The New Mexico Independent in April 2008. In May 2010, The Florida Independent was established.
In January 2010, the Center for Independent Media changed its name to The American Independent News Network to "more accurately reflect the true nature of [its] work as an online news network."
. Minnesota Monitor media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2007 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards. The Minnesota Monitor was nominated for the Koufax Awards in 2007 and Andy Birkey was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of LGBT
issues.
In 2008, The Colorado Confidential was awarded the top prize for Online/General Web Site Excellence as well as Online/Interactive, in addition to other prizes, by the Society of Professional Journalists in Colorado. The Colorado Confidential was also recognized for coverage of the Colorado State House by the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. The Minnesota Independent received prizes in the categories of Best Online News Story, Best Independent Newsroom Blog, and Best Independent News Site from the Society of Professional Journalists in Minnesota. The Michigan Messengers reporter Eartha Jane Melzer received Honorable Mention from the National Press Club's Sandy Hume Award for Excellence in Political Journalism.
In 2009, the Associations of State Capitol Reporters and Editors honored The New Mexico Independent and The Iowa Independent with first place prizes for Single Reporting and Beat Reporting, respectively. The Society of Professional Journalists in Washington, DC honored The Washington Independents finance reporter Mary Kane with first prize for Daily Newspaper Feature and second prize for Daily Newspaper Business Reporting. In Minnesota, the Society of Professional Journalists honored The Minnesota Independent with first place wins in the categories of Best Single News Story, Best Use of Multimedia, Best Use of Video, and Best Independent News Blog, in addition to four other prizes.
In 2010, the Society of Professional Journalists in Minnesota awarded The Minnesota Independent three times: Birkey received first prize for Best Continuing Coverage (Online), Kathy Easthagen received first prize for Best Spot News Photo, and the site received second prize for Best Web Site.
Reporters with The American Independent News Network have won over 40 prizes for excellence in journalism. A current list is kept up to date, here.
, who has written for The New Republic
and Talking Points Memo
writes for The Washington Independent. Ed Brayton, a freelance writer who blogs at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, is the state editor for The Michigan Messenger. John Tomasic previously edited The Huffington Post
's Off the Bus and is the current editor of The Colorado Independent.
Alumni of The American Independent News Network include David Weigel
, formerly with The Washington Independent, is a blogger for Slate
; Mike Lillis, formerly with The Washington Independent, is now writing for The Hill
; and Wendy Norris, formerly the editor of The Colorado Independent, is now the editor and publisher of Western Citizen.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
501(c)(3) non-profit founded in May 2006 with the stated mission of funding websites that report news from an independent, investigative perspective. The organization looked to develop internet-based local reporting, which could in turn improve the level of public discourse. It operates an independent news network which consists of state-based daily news sites The Colorado Independent, The Florida Independent, The Iowa Independent, The Michigan Messenger, The Minnesota Independent, The New Mexico Independent, and The Washington Independent.
The network states that its mission is to "investigate and disseminate news that impacts public debate and advances the common good. To accomplish its mission, The American Independent News Network operates an independent online news network. An informed citizenry is a fundamental principle of civil society and American democracy; in the words of the Supreme Court in Garrison v. Louisiana: 'Speech concerning public affairs is more than self-expression; it is the essence of self government.' Our reporting emphasizes the positive role of democratically elected government in securing the common good and social welfare, and the continuing benefits of our founding culture of egalitarian government by the people, for the people."
History and programs
The organization was founded as The Center for Independent Media in April 2006 by David S. Bennahum, a former journalist with WiredWired (magazine)
Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
. Its inaugural venture was a New Journalist Pilot Program whose aim was "to strengthen the network of progressive blogs on a state-by-state basis," providing short term financial support for qualified applicants, while being trained. The Center expanded that into a permanent New Journalist Training Program, and later provided support for online journalists through its New Journalist Editorial Program, which, in the words of the Center, provides "talented online journalists with direct support to conduct original reporting." Many of the participants in the editorial program are graduates of the training program.
The purpose of the organization expanded to creating and supporting a network of independent online news organizations. the network consists of six state-based sites and a Washington D.C. site. Colorado Confidential (now The Colorado Independent) was the first to launch, in May of 2006, followed in August by The Minnesota Monitor, now the Minnesota Independent
Minnesota Independent
The Minnesota Independent, formerly Minnesota Monitor, and sometimes known as MnIndy, is an independent online newsmagazine. It launched in August 2006, with a focus on coverage of political issues...
. Iowa Independent and Michigan Messenger debuted in 2007. The Washington Bureau and The Washington Independent were launched in January 2008, followed by The New Mexico Independent in April 2008. In May 2010, The Florida Independent was established.
In January 2010, the Center for Independent Media changed its name to The American Independent News Network to "more accurately reflect the true nature of [its] work as an online news network."
Recognition
Sites supported by the organization have received professional recognition. In May 2007, Jason Bane and other staff members at The Colorado Confidential were recognized for coverage of online breaking news by the Society of Professional JournalistsSociety of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists , formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States. It was established in April 1909 at DePauw University, and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. The ten founding members of...
. Minnesota Monitor media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2007 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards. The Minnesota Monitor was nominated for the Koufax Awards in 2007 and Andy Birkey was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
issues.
In 2008, The Colorado Confidential was awarded the top prize for Online/General Web Site Excellence as well as Online/Interactive, in addition to other prizes, by the Society of Professional Journalists in Colorado. The Colorado Confidential was also recognized for coverage of the Colorado State House by the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. The Minnesota Independent received prizes in the categories of Best Online News Story, Best Independent Newsroom Blog, and Best Independent News Site from the Society of Professional Journalists in Minnesota. The Michigan Messengers reporter Eartha Jane Melzer received Honorable Mention from the National Press Club's Sandy Hume Award for Excellence in Political Journalism.
In 2009, the Associations of State Capitol Reporters and Editors honored The New Mexico Independent and The Iowa Independent with first place prizes for Single Reporting and Beat Reporting, respectively. The Society of Professional Journalists in Washington, DC honored The Washington Independents finance reporter Mary Kane with first prize for Daily Newspaper Feature and second prize for Daily Newspaper Business Reporting. In Minnesota, the Society of Professional Journalists honored The Minnesota Independent with first place wins in the categories of Best Single News Story, Best Use of Multimedia, Best Use of Video, and Best Independent News Blog, in addition to four other prizes.
In 2010, the Society of Professional Journalists in Minnesota awarded The Minnesota Independent three times: Birkey received first prize for Best Continuing Coverage (Online), Kathy Easthagen received first prize for Best Spot News Photo, and the site received second prize for Best Web Site.
Reporters with The American Independent News Network have won over 40 prizes for excellence in journalism. A current list is kept up to date, here.
Notable writers
The American Independent News Network supports a number of writing fellows. Spencer AckermanSpencer Ackerman
Spencer Ackerman is an American national security reporter and blogger. He began his career at The New Republic and currently writes for Wired magazine's national security blog, ....
, who has written for The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
and Talking Points Memo
Talking Points Memo
Talking Points Memo is a web-based political journalism organization created and run by Josh Marshall, journalist and historian covering issues from a "politically left perspective,". It debuted on November 12, 2000...
writes for The Washington Independent. Ed Brayton, a freelance writer who blogs at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, is the state editor for The Michigan Messenger. John Tomasic previously edited The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
's Off the Bus and is the current editor of The Colorado Independent.
Alumni of The American Independent News Network include David Weigel
David Weigel
David "Dave" Weigel , is an American journalist, currently working for Slate magazine and MSNBC. Weigel began appearing on MSNBC in 2009, accepting a position as a paid contributor in June 2010...
, formerly with The Washington Independent, is a blogger for Slate
Slate (magazine)
Slate is a US-based English language online current affairs and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft as part of MSN. On 21 December 2004 it was purchased by the Washington Post Company...
; Mike Lillis, formerly with The Washington Independent, is now writing for The Hill
The Hill (newspaper)
The Hill, a subsidiary of News Communications Inc., is a newspaper published in Washington, D.C. since 1994.Its first editor was Martin Tolchin, a veteran correspondent in the Washington bureau of The New York Times....
; and Wendy Norris, formerly the editor of The Colorado Independent, is now the editor and publisher of Western Citizen.