In April 2019, The Seattle Times launched its Investigative Journalism Fund, with a 'phase one' goal of $500,000. The money would allow the publisher to hire three reporters to its new investigative journalism team and continue the work it is the best known for.
In only four weeks, readers and supporters have contributed $170,000.
It is a significant move for one of the few remaining independently-owned news organisations in the United States, founded before the 1900s.
In this week’s podcast, vice president of innovation, product and development, Sharon Pian Chan, explains not just why the fund is necessary to keep the publisher independent, but what is driving its subscribers and readers to support the long-term vision.
Picture credit: Dean Rutz, Seattle Times
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