SJ Spotlight CEO on Philanthropy & Local Journalism

Ramona Giwargis, co-founder and CEO of San Jose Spotlight, traveled to Miami last week to participate in the Knight Media Forum, and brought back  an inspiring report. The forum is hosted by the Knight Foundation, one of the most powerful philanthropic forces in American journalism. Giwargis writes that she and her Spotlight co-founder Josh Barousse “shared how the work we’re doing in San Jose is shaping and impacting our community. “

The news organization has an impressive story to tell. In her piece Giwargis is able to list almost a dozen concrete ways Spotlight’s coverage has had powerful impacts on individuals and institutions in Santa Clara County. 

She also writes about business and collaboration.

“While I believe nonprofit journalism is the future of our industry and the best alternative to corporate, hedge fund or billionaire newspaper owners, it’s only a tax status. It is not a business model. Nonprofits must find ways to sustain and grow our newsrooms—and we face similar pressures and risks as corporate media.”

…

“I cut my teeth in competitive news markets facing the pressure of “being first” or angling for the best shot or quote. But as newsrooms across the U.S. face financial uncertainty and competition for eyeballs from Facebook (and others), we have to work together. We can do more with less if we pool our resources and collaborate.”

Read the full article here.