Editor's note: If you haven't seen our newsletter recently, it's because there are some big changes coming. This newsletter was previously volunteer-run — we are now both able to dedicate part-time hours to The Objective. That means this newsletter will be landing in your inbox more frequently.

We appreciate you sticking around!

— James & Gabe, Co-Directors of The Objective

Mainstream media has harmed Black people for generations in the United States – from publishing slave catching advertisements to using passive voice when it comes to police shootings.

How can the harm be repaired? According to Borealis Philanthropy’s new Thriving BIPOC Journalism Report, released July 23, part of the road to media reparations must include philanthropic prioritization of financial investment in Black, Indigenous, Asian and Latine journalism over flashpoint technologies like generative artificial intelligence. Over $21.6 billion in investments went to generative artificial intelligence startups in 2023 through Sept. 30 alone.

“For centuries, this reporting has stood in resistance and opposition to mainstream media, which has long muted, distorted, and ignored the narratives and information needs of BIPOC communities,” the report’s authors write. “Who will we position to save our already fragile democracy: ChatGPT and other generative AI products … or local BIPOC journalists and news organizations?”

Per the report, generative AI start-ups received $21.6 billion in funding from January through September 2023. 

Through financial modeling, partnership with researcher Dr. Wilneida Negrón and small-group interviews with 11 Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latine journalists and media-makers across the U.S., the report developed indicators for thriving BIPOC media organizations and ecosystems and articulates four different scenarios for the latter. 

The most favored by interviewees — ”Abundance, Repair, Reimagine” — is estimated to cost $71.6 billion and envisions local Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latine journalism “resourced in abundance.”

“We mean not only in fiscal abundance, but also in the number of personnel and the possibilities of stories they can cover,” the report’s authors write.

(Disclosure: Borealis is a funder of The Objective. This is not sponsored content.)

—James Salanga

New York editor no longer employed following The Objective's investigation: Michael Hinman, a New York editor accused of bullying reporters, is no longer executive editor at Herald Community Newspapers. The change came days after The Objective published a story about a dozen reporters — mostly women — who worked under his leadership. Reporter Alexis Allison spent years reporting the investigation. (The Objective)

Inconsistent stances for reporters supporting press freedom only hurt journalism: Selina Cheng, based in Hong Kong, wrote about being laid off from the Wall Street Journal in a “restructuring” due to her involvement in the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Cheng points out the Journal’s hypocrisy: It previously rallied its entire staff to a campaign for the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich, whom a Russian court sentenced to sixteen years in prison. (Columbia Journalism Review)

Media organizations push for independent access into Gaza: As Israel continues its bombardment of Palestine, over 70 media organizations throughout the world have signed an open letter demanding the Israeli government end restrictions on foreign press entering Gaza. Notably, among the signatories is the New York Times, which took umbrage with the November letter arguing for journalists’ protection in Gaza, only urging a similar commitment in February. (Committee to Protect Journalists)

Help launch The 51st, the D.C.’s new worker-led local publication: “From the ashes of DCist,” the publication has reached 71% of its $250,000 goal to secure 501(c)3 status, and will begin as a weekly newsletter with at least one deeply-reported D.C. story driven by online and offline conversations with supporters. (The 51st via GiveButter)

HBCU Digital Media Collaborative launches to support HBCU newsrooms: The hub will connect HBCU newsrooms with training, journalism professionals and online infrastructure, and aims to foster collaboration between student and local newsrooms to provide “a strong voice for communities most vulnerable to information inequity.” The form to register and join the first cohort is open now. (HBCU Digital Media Collaborative) 

Looking for a job? Here are a few places to look: INN | ONA | JournalismJobs.com | 10 Jobs and a Dog | NABJ | AAJA | NAHJ | NLGJA | @WritersofColor | MEO Jobs | Freelance Journalist Rates | Source Jobs | Opportunities of the Week ($) | West Coast Media Jobs

How about a style guide? Trans Journalist Association | Diversity Style Guide | Tribal Nations Media Guide | NABJ Style Guide | Disability Language Style Guide | AAJA Guide to Covering Asian Pacific America | NAHJ Cultural Competence Handbook | SPJ Race & Gender Hotline | AMEJA Media Resource Guide | The Press in Prison | The Conscious Style Guide | Reporting on Addiction

Thanks for reading our newsletter. We appreciate you being here, and we’ll have more for you soon.

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