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Ben Werdmuller

The investigative newsroom I work for, @ProPublica, is raising money right now. We report on abuses of power in the public interest - stories like corruption on the Supreme Court. It was the first outlet to win a Pulitzer for web-first journalism. And if you donate through this link, you'll let our team know that Mastodon is an audience to pay attention to. give.propublica.org/give/34652 #journalism #fediverse #mastodon

63 comments
Erin Conroy

@ben

Done!

I've donated to ProPublica over the years (not as much as I ought, though!) & I strongly encourage my friends on here to donate now [use Ben's link!].

ProPublica is a great pro-democracy, anti-corruption resource here in the US & it would go a long way for them to know Mastodon is an audience aligned w/their work.

In that vein, I'd be super grateful if you guys had a Mastodon share button on your articles instead of, or in addition to, buttons for Twitter & Facebook.

@ProPublica

Ben Werdmuller

@chargrille I've definitely been having that conversation!

Steven Zekowski

@ben @chargrille
I’ve donated the last 2 years. Money well spent. Thank you for the valuable investigative journalism you and your colleagues do.

Ben Werdmuller

@steve_zeke @chargrille All my colleagues' work! I just help with the technology side.

Thank you very very much for donating!

Steven Zekowski

@ben @chargrille
Your modesty is admirable and, although you’re not a journalist, I imagine they couldn’t succeed at what they do without your help. Please allow yourself a pat onto the back.

Erin Conroy

@ben

Awesome! Thank you!

I saw ProPublica now has something like 115K followers on here, which is a lot for Mastodon! So I can only assume that means they have a quite large audience & a lot of support. Suspect we'd see more articles from any outlets who implement that share button!

Thank you all for your support for their invaluable work, which I have used & benefited from for more years now than I'd like to count.

Chris Real

@ben @ProPublica

Nothing like being told it's only my money that matters. Mastodon only matters to you if it means your "team" doesn't need to work hard to fund it.

Swallow your pride—sell some steak knives or whatever. The corruption of the Supreme Court is well and heavily covered by all your competitors. For free.

Ben Werdmuller

@_chris_real Hey! Our journalism is free to access. And I'm a decades-long part of the open social web movement - Mastodon is very important to me indeed. I didn't mean to offend with my framing.

We're on a funding drive because it's a non-profit (like other public media outlets). Nobody pays to read what we do.

And others may be covering it, but it was our investigation that broke the story.

Chris Real

@ben

You told me that your opinion of Mastodon depended on how much money they sent you. You can't squirm out of that judgement by claiming you're a non-profit—but you "really need" money.

Did you —really— "break a story" though? Or were you the first who published what was well-known, but many were struggling to make known?

Your whole "but still—Capitalism?!?" reeks of the monarchists who infest post-capitalist marketplaces. We also call them magats and fascists.

Stick to steak knives (at least it's honest), although I hear silver-infused bedsheets also do well.

Read Marcy Wheeler/emptywheel for examples of 'actual' no-one-pays journalism.

I am a musician. You've got nothing to school me with about working for free.

@ben

You told me that your opinion of Mastodon depended on how much money they sent you. You can't squirm out of that judgement by claiming you're a non-profit—but you "really need" money.

Did you —really— "break a story" though? Or were you the first who published what was well-known, but many were struggling to make known?

Ben Werdmuller

@_chris_real *I* didn’t do anything. But yeah, the journalists broke the story. By doggedly following it for a long time. That’s what ProPublica does: actual investigative journalism that takes a lot of resources to produce. There’s a pretty good article about what it took here. slate.com/news-and-politics/20

My Mastodon comment was really a flippant way of saying that I’d like Mastodon to show up in our stats.

But I seem to have got your goat,so I’d like to suggest we go our separate ways. Bye.

@_chris_real *I* didn’t do anything. But yeah, the journalists broke the story. By doggedly following it for a long time. That’s what ProPublica does: actual investigative journalism that takes a lot of resources to produce. There’s a pretty good article about what it took here. slate.com/news-and-politics/20

Chris Real

@ben

Of course. Troll for more money. Our ways are not separate, but our means to our ends define us.

I will match your barely adequate investigating with Marcy Wheeler's any day. Your 'breaking' claims are pretty irrelevant. The truth was there—it matters not who was first, but who made it MATTER.

You come to us with hat in hand, but suggesting that getting my goat is a discourse ender. Maybe my goat was got when you decided to monetize your virtue. I suggest you re-evaluate your 'yeah-but-ish' mentality.

Yeah, just walk away. . .

@ben

Of course. Troll for more money. Our ways are not separate, but our means to our ends define us.

I will match your barely adequate investigating with Marcy Wheeler's any day. Your 'breaking' claims are pretty irrelevant. The truth was there—it matters not who was first, but who made it MATTER.

You come to us with hat in hand, but suggesting that getting my goat is a discourse ender. Maybe my goat was got when you decided to monetize your virtue. I suggest you re-evaluate your 'yeah-but-ish' mentality.

Anil Dash

@_chris_real Ask Marcy what she thinks of this kind of journalism — she'll tell you to support it. There is nothing noble in wanting important work to not be supported, or valuable labor to go uncompensated.

Chris Real

@anildash

Having a representative of an org with NO presence on Mastodon come here saying 'Hey, if you give us money, maybe we'll like you' is offensive to me.

But since you butted in as a third party, picking a fight by proxy, maybe you shouldn't also put words in the mouth of people you haven't consulted.

Start your OWN fights, "big fan of big fans". You seem to hide behind others.

So I won't explain my objections to you. Make a post with your own opinion, see if people will respond. I doubt if I will.

@anildash

Having a representative of an org with NO presence on Mastodon come here saying 'Hey, if you give us money, maybe we'll like you' is offensive to me.

But since you butted in as a third party, picking a fight by proxy, maybe you shouldn't also put words in the mouth of people you haven't consulted.

Chris Real

@anildash

I searched emptywheel for any references to Pro Publica—nothing in the past 4 years, maybe longer.

And Pro Publica is not hurting for money.

From wikipedia:

"ProPublica was the brainchild of Herbert and Marion Sandler, the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corporation, who have committed $10 million a year to the project.

"The Sandlers hired Paul Steiger, former managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, to create and run the organization as editor in chief."

Anyone know how much Steiger makes?

@anildash

I searched emptywheel for any references to Pro Publica—nothing in the past 4 years, maybe longer.

And Pro Publica is not hurting for money.

From wikipedia:

"ProPublica was the brainchild of Herbert and Marion Sandler, the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corporation, who have committed $10 million a year to the project.

Chris Real

@anildash

Also:

"While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

"For example, Paul Steiger, executive chairman of ProPublica, is a trustee of the Knight Foundation. In like manner, Alberto Ibarguen, the president and CEO of the Knight Foundation is on the board of ProPublica. ProPublica, along with other major news outlets, received grant funding from Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

"ProPublica has attracted attention for the salaries it pays its employees. In 2008, Paul Steiger, the editor of ProPublica, received a salary of $570,000."

@anildash

Also:

"While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

Chris Real

@anildash

So I'll make a deal with you, Big Follower. You give Marcy $1000, and the next time, I'll go easier on ProPub (who really doesn't need the money—only its lower-tiered journalists do).

Will you take the challenge?

Chris Real

@pixplz

You really go to the trouble of typing something like that, knowing it's totally ineffective? That's just lazy.

There's unFollow, there's Block—USE them. That's what they're there for.

Schools are superspreaders

@_chris_real Just look at all the bullshit YOU typed. Why are you still talking, when keeping your damn mouth shut is always an option?

Chris Real

@pixplz

So you're the erstwhile hall monitor of Mastodon? I think, nahhh.

If you need people to shut up to make you happy, maybe you should think about your dependancy issues.

Nobody died and left you boss [with censorship powers].

Mastodon gave you a Block. USE it.

Schools are superspreaders

@_chris_real Consider all the shit YOU talked about ProPublica, when you could have just as easily blocked or muted the guy. You can dish it out, but you can't take it. And, you're projecting.

Chris Real replied to Schools are superspreaders

@pixplz

This is not shit, this is the public record:

While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

For example, Paul Steiger, executive chairman of ProPublica, is a trustee of the Knight Foundation. In like manner, Alberto Ibarguen, the president and CEO of the Knight Foundation is on the board of ProPublica. ProPublica, along with other major news outlets, received grant funding from Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

[Sam Bankman-Fried, indeed!]

ProPublica has attracted attention for the salaries it pays its employees. In 2008, Paul Steiger, the editor of ProPublica, received a salary of $570,000.

@pixplz

This is not shit, this is the public record:

While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

Seriously

@_chris_real @ben

Well, today I learned it’s “facist” to work at a non-profit and ask for donations…

You’re history’s greatest monsters, ProPublica! 😅

Chris Real

@LicensedToKilt @ben

Being misunderstood at the start by third parties who love to creatively expand their misunderstanding is a bottomless pit of useless typing

I'd love to discus it on Pro Publica's account, but they don't deem us worthy of a presence on Mastodon . . .

Chris Real

@LicensedToKilt @ben

Actually, I found they DO have an account somewhere on Mastodon.

My bad.

Chris Real

@LicensedToKilt @ben

From wikipedia:

"ProPublica was the brainchild of Herbert and Marion Sandler, the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corporation, who have committed $10 million a year to the project.

"The Sandlers hired Paul Steiger, former managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, to create and run the organization as editor in chief."

Looks like they have private funding after all. No need to sell steak knives.

Anil Dash

@_chris_real can't tell if you're too stupid to realize how wrong you are, or if you don't know what "free" means.

Chris Real

@anildash .
Maybe you should make up your mind and stick with the story.

Your shallow opinion of those who disagree with you shouldn't be so all-encompassing as to be meaningless.

But at least you can apply it to anyone, right?

Stroll on . . .

Chris Real

@corbden @ben @ProPublica

Imagine thinking Pro Publica needs money:

"While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

"For example, Paul Steiger, executive chairman of ProPublica, is a trustee of the Knight Foundation. In like manner, Alberto Ibarguen, the president and CEO of the Knight Foundation is on the board of ProPublica. ProPublica, along with other major news outlets, received grant funding from Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

[Sam Bankman Fried, y'all . . .]

"ProPublica has attracted attention for the salaries it pays its employees. In 2008, Paul Steiger, the editor of ProPublica, received a salary of $570,000."

@corbden @ben @ProPublica

Imagine thinking Pro Publica needs money:

"While the Sandler Foundation provided ProPublica with significant financial support, it also has received funding from the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. ProPublica and the Knight Foundation have various connections.

Robin

@ben @ProPublica ProPublica’s work exposing Alberto Salazar and the Nike mess was my first real exposure to your invstigative journalism. I’ve been consistently impressed with the work you all do. Happy to contribute.

Steve Davidian

@ben @ProPublica

Hi.

Just tried to donate but the site didn't let me select my state. It did take the zip and everything else.

Android, older os, on an LGv30.
Using Firefox.

Ben Werdmuller

@Stegosaurus @ProPublica Thanks for trying and I’m sorry it didn’t work- I’ll share with the team.

CaliCarol

@ben @ProPublica

Done. I've been so impressed with @ProPublica reporting. I've been meaning to donate for a while. Thanks for the link.

Ben Werdmuller

@jawarajabbi Thank you! It makes a big difference to the newsroom.

Jeri Dansky

@ben Done!

I've donated most years in the past, but made a slightly larger donation just now.

Doug Baker

@ben @ProPublica These folks do important - no, ESSENTIAL - work.

Slippery Cliff

@ben @ProPublica done. I appreciate the call to action. I value both ProPublica and Mastodon.

Arlenecw

@ben @ProPublica I have donated. Unfortunately, Mastodon is not one of the social media choices to share that.

Ben Werdmuller

@Arlenecw @ProPublica That's something I plan to bring up with our donations vendor.

Arlenecw

@ben @ProPublica to be fair, I’ve never seen a Mastodon link anywhere. By the way, I love @ProPublica

Ben Werdmuller

@Arlenecw @ProPublica Thank you!!

A side project of mine is to make it MUCH easier to create "share to Mastodon" buttons. Different instance domains make it a harder problem - but we need them! This is a good push for me to finish up.

Ben Werdmuller

Holy wow - the Mastodon community really came through. This is huge, and makes a massive difference for our reporting. Thank you everyone - and thank you for showing how active and engaged this network is!

#fediverse #journalism #mastodon

Donald Ham

@ben
Just sent a donation. Good journalism is worth it!

May Likes Toronto

@ben propublica has been rocking it on the journalism front!

Jared White

@ben @ProPublica Pay no attention to the trolls! 🙄

We need to normalize people asking for money for journalism on Mastodon. Period. End of story. No additional preamble or context required. The End.

Thanks for all you do! 👏

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