 The greatest story about social media. I don't think it gets better. In November 2022, @TexasObserver became one of the first newspapers to start their own Mastodon server. Unlike most newspapers, @TexasObserver operates as a non-profit. This week, the non-profit’s board of directors voted to disband @TexasObserver. But within 48 hours, people have given $250,000 so it can continue to exist. https://www.gofundme.com/f/laid-off-texas-observer-journalists-and-staff 24 comments
To be clear, @TexasObserver set up three funding goals. The first goal was $100,000. They reached that goal within a day. Then they created a stretch goal of $200,000. Again, goal reached. The last stretch goal was $250,000. It was just reached. On the Fediverse, there is clear demand for @TexasObserver's work. Journalists, are you watching this? Regardless of whether the board approves of @TexasObserver's continued work, this great example of crowdfunding should prove that journalists don’t need Big Social. If you create your own Fediverse presence, foster a community, and write compelling stories — people here will take notice. Give people on the Fediverse the option to fund your work, and maybe they just might do it. For the past 30 years, journalists have watched as private equity firms hollowed out storied publications, tech companies plundered and plagiarized their work, and politicians made propagandastic demands. And though @TexasObserver has always existed precariously, it’s lived on because people who give a damn have donated to it. Personally, I believe crowdfunding is a way forward for journalism, and @TexasObserver has tapped into something special. @atomicpoet  @atomicpoet @TexasObserver The Nation has now posted an OpEd for support for the Observer too. So we made enough noise that some paid attention. Molly Ivin’s legacy and the work people are currently doing, are vital progressive voices in a state with very few others in their space.  @atomicpoet @TexasObserver Just amazing — every bit as effective as crowdfunding on the bird site.  There's a mentality of independence and direct support behind the #fediverse that is also exactly what great journalism requires. Do all the technical improvements but we're only going to win here by spreading that early web spirit/thinking. It's needed in the entire society. Thinking about culture as a shared commons. Kind of a libertarian socialism for our minds.  @atomicpoet @atomicpoet @TexasObserver I’d never heard of them until getting on Mastodon, I’m now a follower for life! @atomicpoet @TexasObserver European media is also now flocking to the fediverse due to GDPR problems with big tech outlets (bird site and face plant). I know of successful campaigns by Heise (German tech publisher) and German TV/media broadcasters. Journos, take the lesson and give it a try. It's not scary :-) @atomicpoet @billbennett @TexasObserver @fediversenews I hope journalist from one news, newshub, stuff, the Herald etc get onto mastodon.  @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews is over $252k. ATM. Interesting to watch folks speaking with their wallets..  @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews Hopefully, if the board isn't smart enough to reverse their decision... any reason the team @ @TexasObserver couldn't spin off into their own non-profit? @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews In other words, why are supporters willing to make donations, but not subscribe? @atomicpoet @TexasObserver @fediversenews I don't love the tone of the board's apology and I like Ms. Holmes's statement even less. Both feel very much like "yeah we are sorry but look we fundraised and fixed it" when to my understanding the fundraising had nothing to do with the board. |
Gregory's Server
Pause and think about this.
Since November, journalists have been cynically dismissing the Fediverse, saying that journalists cannot subsist here.
Well, the Fediverse may have given @TexasObserver a lifeline! So much of the donations from the GoFundMe have come from the Fediverse — many commenters saying they discovered @TexasObserver from their Mastodon server.
We, the Fediverse, just might save a storied institution of journalism!