Editor's note: Introducing the Detroit Journalism Cooperative
Today marks the official launch of the Detroit Journalism Cooperative, an unprecedented collaboration among some of Michigan’s most trusted media organizations.
For the next year, and hopefully beyond, Bridge and our nonprofit partners will perform the unnatural act of working together – rather than in competition. The mission: to share data-driven, solutions-based journalism that deepens public understanding of Detroit’s journey through bankruptcy and engages residents in the revival of this once-powerful city.
A grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation allows Bridge and its nonprofit partners at WDET, Michigan Radio, Detroit Public TV and New Michigan Media to pool resources and expertise to go beyond the daily coverage and offer insights on Detroit’s future. (A separate grant from Renaissance Journalism’s Michigan Reporting Initiative and the Ford Foundation allows these same nonprofits to collaborate on statewide issues, including ongoing reporting on Michigan’s emergency manager law.)
At Bridge, we see the Cooperative’s role as complementing coverage that Detroit and Michigan residents already receive from the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News, local TV and radio, and national news organizations. Indeed, the Cooperative is already receiving help from the Detroit Free Press, which graciously supplied most of the photos in today’s Bridge package. The Freep will also run articles by the Cooperative through its “A Better Michigan” section.
In today’s report, Bridge establishes benchmarks that we will return to in the months ahead to chart Detroit’s progress and hold public officials accountable. Going forward, we aim to be an indispensable resource for the people of Detroit – who have endured years of mismanagement and broken promises – and residents across Michigan, who sometimes question how their lives and communities, and tax dollars, are tied to the fate of the state’s largest city.
We encourage you to subscribe to Bridge and bookmark the Cooperative’s website. Individually, the media groups involved in the Cooperative have covered Detroit’s financial crisis with tenacity and insight. Together, we aim to provide an extraordinary level of public reporting for this iconic city, and all of Michigan.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!