What Is F.I.R.M.?
The Fund for Investigative Research – Maui
Making a F.I.R.M. commitment
On behalf of myself and the many contributors to the Moon Over Haleakala, I invite you, our readers, to take an active role in defining 21st Century journalism. This newspaper is an experiment we’ve been conducting. I’d like to report on what we’ve learned so far.
First, it’s possible to receive an enthusiastic response from our community with a different, more personal, story-telling style. Our writers, most of whom have been volunteering their efforts, have put themselves out there – the results have been both entertaining and informative.
Second, I knew as we started the Moon that, to survive, we needed to invent some aspects. What, exactly, is advocacy journalism and how does it serve the community? While I admit we’re still figuring that out, I already know that the Moon has covered Sol Ko‘ohalahala’s political troubles in a way no other publication has, and we’ve reported on the medical marijuana arrests in Pa‘ia and Hilo – a subject other Maui publications seem afraid to cover.
Third, the Moon is doing well. After only four issues, with more advertisers getting on board each time, the sails are filling nicely. I am proud to report the newspaper is close to covering its basic costs of production, printing, shipping and distribution. We have high hopes that locally owned stores, restaurants and home businesses will continue to join the Moon’s advertising ohana. The “ad base” – those who advertise consistently – are the pumping heart of any community newspaper. It feels great to have the Moon Over Haleakala up and running, informing the people of Maui and East Hawai‘i Island, while building bridges across the channel.
Looking ahead, I know from experience that while a small town newspaper can survive, this business model has difficulty creating the revenue for those extra-juicy, in-depth investigative reports. That kind of reporting can take several months to complete; it requires a lot of time and expertise. And yet, there is critical work waiting to be done here with the list of important, untold stories long indeed. The writers and researchers working with the Moon are eager to take on that list to create the kind of in-depth reports our readers deserve. Scouting the trail ahead, not wiping the floor with the past. “Where do we go from here?” journalism focused on Maui’s need for food security and a strong local economy.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of alternative publications, we don’t sell papers or subscriptions. We give the Moon away for free, to everyone, because we believe our stories warrant the broadest possible audience and we believe our advertisers, most of whom are small business owners, deserve the broadest possible exposure at an affordable cost.
This is where you come in. In creating the Fund for Investigative Research — Maui, aka “the FIRM,” we’re reaching out to those who understand the contribution we’re making, those who are willing to match that contribution with one of their own.
Here then, is the invitation: Click on the “Contribute to the FIRM” button. There are Paypal and credit card options and we are grateful for any amount. A modest contribution to the research fund from some of our readers each issue can create a large cumulative impact. Together, we can be a committed team getting to the heart of issues that matter to Maui. Your contribution also allows you to have ownership in the experiment: Project outlines posted on the website will develop in response to suggestions and input from our readership and progress reports as research proceeds will put you “in the know.”
I encourage you to take this opportunity to make a FIRM commitment to Maui and a truly free press and join the Moon team.
Thank You,
Ken Pinsky
Short URL: http://mauimoonnews.com/hawaiinews/?p=326
Posted by Ken
on Sep 14 2010. Filed under October 2010.
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