The Minnesota Independent: Difference between revisions
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''Minnesota Independent'' writers have won numerous awards. Reporter Andy Birkey won a 2010 Page One Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for best continuing coverage of the controversial Christian ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Independent wins journalism prizes for coverage of Christian ministry, Obama rally|url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/59245/minnesota-independent-society-professional-journalists-prize}}</ref>. Media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2008 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism <ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3386 Minnesota Monitor's Schmelzer wins a 2008 Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards.<ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1862 Center for Independent Media's 'New Journalist Program' Bloggers Win Journalism Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The site was nominated for the [[Koufax Awards]] in 2007<ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1867 Minnesota Monitor nominated for a Koufax Award<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, and [[Andy Birkey]] was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of [[LGBT]] issues.<ref>[http://journalist.org/awards/archives/000773.php Online Journalism Awards: 2007 Online Journalism Awards - Finalists<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2008, the site won three Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards<ref>[http://minnesotaindependent.com/4723/minnesota-independent-wins-three-society-of-professional-journalists-awards Minnesota Independent wins three Society of Professional Journalists awards]</ref>, and in 2009 increased the number of SPJ prizes to eight, including four first-place awards. Among independent online news enterprises it won best single news story (Paul Demko), best use of multimedia (Newsroom), best use of video (Paul Schmelzer) and best news blog (Newsroom).<ref>[http://minnesotaindependent.com/34923/mnindy-wins-four-first-place-page-one-awards-four-others MnIndy wins four first place Page One awards, four others]</ref> |
''Minnesota Independent'' writers have won numerous awards. Reporter Andy Birkey won a 2010 Page One Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for best continuing coverage of the controversial Christian ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Independent wins journalism prizes for coverage of Christian ministry, Obama rally|url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/59245/minnesota-independent-society-professional-journalists-prize}}</ref>. Media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2008 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism <ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3386 Minnesota Monitor's Schmelzer wins a 2008 Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards.<ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1862 Center for Independent Media's 'New Journalist Program' Bloggers Win Journalism Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The site was nominated for the [[Koufax Awards]] in 2007<ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1867 Minnesota Monitor nominated for a Koufax Award<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, and [[Andy Birkey]] was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of [[LGBT]] issues.<ref>[http://journalist.org/awards/archives/000773.php Online Journalism Awards: 2007 Online Journalism Awards - Finalists<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2008, the site won three Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards<ref>[http://minnesotaindependent.com/4723/minnesota-independent-wins-three-society-of-professional-journalists-awards Minnesota Independent wins three Society of Professional Journalists awards]</ref>, and in 2009 increased the number of SPJ prizes to eight, including four first-place awards. Among independent online news enterprises it won best single news story (Paul Demko), best use of multimedia (Newsroom), best use of video (Paul Schmelzer) and best news blog (Newsroom).<ref>[http://minnesotaindependent.com/34923/mnindy-wins-four-first-place-page-one-awards-four-others MnIndy wins four first place Page One awards, four others]</ref> |
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==Controversy== |
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The ''Minnesota Monitor'' came under fire from Minnesota blogger [[Michael Brodkorb]] in October 2006. He asserted that the Center for Independent Media was funded by [[Media Matters for America]], and by extension, [[George Soros]].<ref>[http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2006/10/02/mde-exclusive-minnesota-monitor-center-for-independent-media-exposed/ Mde Exclusive: Minnesota Monitor & Center For Independent Media Exposed | Minnesota Democrats Exposed<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In a response, ''Monitor'' editor Robin Marty stated that "the Center for Independent Media is not receiving funding from Media Matters for America."<ref>[http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=432 Minnesota Monitor:: Brodkorb Gets It Wrong Again<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The Center's list of its donors includes 15 named foundations<ref>[http://newjournalist.org/donate/ Center for Independent Media:: Donate page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, among them the Open Society Institute, a nonprofit founded by George Soros. Because of this, conservative bloggers have taken the former editor's unwillingness to explain the site's funding sources as license to refer to ''Monitor'' staffers as "Soros employee[s]." <ref>[http://www.shotinthedark.info/archives/008059.html Shot In The Dark: Fact-Checking The Fact-Checkers For "Facts" That Aren't Facially Actually Factual<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> One ''Monitor'' fellow, [[Jeff Fecke]], has joked about receiving the "sweet, sweet Soros money." <ref>[http://moderateleft.com/?p=2881 The Fifth Annual Golden Brownies 2006 Extravaganza | Blog of the Moderate Left<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In late September of 2006, Fecke revealed that Brodkorb himself was taking money from Republican candidates such as Michele Bachmann without disclosing this, allowing his readers to mistakenly think he was an independent blogger. <ref>[http://moderateleft.com/?p=2708 Mike Brodkorb: A Fine Whine | Blog of the Moderate Left<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Brodkorb is now the deputy chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota and handles the party's communications with the media.<ref>[http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2009/06/brodkorb_electe.shtml Brodkorb elected MNGOP Deputy Chair | Tom Scheck, MPR News, June 13, 2009<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==Editorial Stance== |
==Editorial Stance== |
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Revision as of 02:00, 9 June 2011
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Type of site | Online Magazine |
|---|---|
| Owner | American Independent News Network |
| Created by | American Independent News Network |
| URL | http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/ |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | To Add Comments |
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. The newsmagazine is funded by the American Independent News Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that "investigates and disseminates news that impacts public debate and advances the common good." The site publishes daily and is free to view.
Background
Minnesota Independent is staffed by both salaried reporters and paid fellows who receive a stipend for their writing contributions.[1] The initial pool of writers included a number of journalists and liberal Minnesota bloggers, including original site editor Robin Marty, Somali journalist Abdi Ayne (who left to work for the BBC and is now employed by the Voice of America), Joe Bodell and others. Later, the site brought on board professional journalists, such as Eric Black, who had written for the Star Tribune, and former City Pages writers Paul Demko and Molly Priesmeyer.
The site is currently edited by Paul Schmelzer, and boasts traffic of about 150,000 unique visitors per month. Traffic surpassed 250,000 in the month preceding the 2008 U.S. elections and surpassed 260,000 unique monthly visits in April 2009.[2] A week after election day, the Center for Independent Media cut funding for two of six full-time staff members, Andy Birkey and Molly Priesmeyer, and for the entire freelance staff.[3] Birkey has since been hired back, and a freelance budget, albeit smaller, was reinstated.
History
Minnesota Independent has broken a number of major stories in its brief existence. During the Keith Ellison Qur'an oath controversy, the Independent's Abdi Aynte reported that Keith Ellison would not change his mind about being sworn in on the Qur'an. The Independent was the first to report that Living Word Christian Center may have violated IRS guidelines during a speech at the Church by Michele Bachmann.[citation needed] The story resulted in an ethical complaint being filed by CREW against the church.[citation needed]
The site also broke news that Minnesota United States Attorney Rachel Paulose was under investigation for mishandling classified information, and that a staffer for Rep. Michele Bachmann had sent out an emailed plea for support that violated house ethics rules.[4]
Minnesota Independent writers have won numerous awards. Reporter Andy Birkey won a 2010 Page One Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for best continuing coverage of the controversial Christian ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide[5]. Media writer Paul Schmelzer won a 2008 Frank Premack Award for Public Affairs Journalism from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism [6] and a 2nd Place in the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards.[7] The site was nominated for the Koufax Awards in 2007[8], and Andy Birkey was a finalist for the 2007 Online Journalism Award for his coverage of LGBT issues.[9] In 2008, the site won three Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards[10], and in 2009 increased the number of SPJ prizes to eight, including four first-place awards. Among independent online news enterprises it won best single news story (Paul Demko), best use of multimedia (Newsroom), best use of video (Paul Schmelzer) and best news blog (Newsroom).[11]
Editorial Stance
The Minnesota Independent's focus and editorial slant is politically liberal. Fellows have been drawn from mainstream media outlets including City Pages and the Star Tribune, as well from the liberal blogging community in Minnesota. The site features a code of ethics that reads in part, "New Journalist Fellows should be honest, tireless, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information for the public."[12]
Contributors
- Andy Birkey
- Patrick Caldwell
- Luke Johnson
- Paul Schmelzer (Editor)
References
- ^ Center for Independent Media » Programs
- ^ "Minnesota Monitor: This Year's Visits by Month". Site Meter courtesy MinnPost. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ Turck, Mary (November 10, 2008). "Minnesota Independent staff slashed, DC office fumbles for explanation". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Twin Cities Media Alliance. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ Minnesota Monitor:: Bachmann Email May Violate Federal Law, House Ethics Rules
- ^ "Minnesota Independent wins journalism prizes for coverage of Christian ministry, Obama rally".
- ^ Minnesota Monitor's Schmelzer wins a 2008 Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award
- ^ Center for Independent Media's 'New Journalist Program' Bloggers Win Journalism Awards
- ^ Minnesota Monitor nominated for a Koufax Award
- ^ Online Journalism Awards: 2007 Online Journalism Awards - Finalists
- ^ Minnesota Independent wins three Society of Professional Journalists awards
- ^ MnIndy wins four first place Page One awards, four others
- ^ Minnesota Monitor:: Code of Ethics