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Investigative News Network CEO Kevin Davis addressed the Federal Communications Commission during its Oct. 3 public hearing, shining a light on delays in obtaining non-profit status and illuminating the work done by member newsrooms.
“IRS 501(c)3 rules and procedures must be clarified and simplified to allow for educating the public through nonprofit journalistic newsrooms while maintaining long held prohibition on political tampering,” Davis said.
The hearing was called to discuss the agency’s recent report, Information Needs of Communities: The Changing Media Landscape in a Broadband Age, and was held at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The report identified gaps in local news reporting and offered suggestions for government, nonprofits and entrepreneurs as they relate to new media.
Davis highlighted the accomplishments of INN and its member organizations, including:
- The Iowa state legislature removed control of mental health services from county governments and gave them to the state after IowaWatch exposed the dysfunctional mental health delivery system in Iowa
- The State of Washington legislature changed workplace standards after stories by InvestigateWest disclosed serious chemical hazards for healthcare workers.
- A legislative investigation was launched after the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting revealed political shenanigans involving millions of dollars from a Federal Stimulus grant.
Davis reported challenges INN and member organizations face, including the disparity between revenue and cost in investigative reporting as well as delays in the IRS’ approval of 501(c)3 applications which both suppress and endanger nonprofit journalism.
He also stressed that more government data should be made publicly available as well as the need for an increased focus on media literacy.
Watch the entire hearing, including Davis’ presentation (at 27 minutes), below or view the FCC report at Eight, Arizona PBS. His PowerPoint presentation is also available to download.
