Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
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Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
Use of DataGordon cofounded Newsjunkie.net in 2020.
Aaren is a veteran of several Bay Area tech startups. He is a graduate of Oakland School for the Arts, with a background in film and specialty in digital art and design.
Simon is an art and science hybrid, equally adept on double bass and web dev. A recent USC graduate in computer science, Simon brings his contagious creative energy to the user experience at Newsjunkie.net.
Curtis is a writer and editor based in Berkeley, California. A graduate of the College of Marin, Curt is currently working on a comedy of errors set in Elizabethan Lancashire.
Member, Society for Professional Journalists
An experienced journalist and editor, Damon came to Newsjunkie through his work as webmaster for TerrySouthern.com. He earned a PhD in Philosophy from University of Calgary in 1991.
Peter Landau likes to draw. You can see his work at instagram.com/peterlandau
Ben is a UC Santa Barbara senior, majoring in Film. He is planning to combine his media skills with urban planning and architecture.
Gregory is a San Francisco-based writer with a background in film, creative arts, design and technology.
Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
In our opinion, knowing who controls the press is as important as the news itself. Without an understanding of the character and intentions of ownership, the validity of reporting falls into question.
Most news journals were locally-owned until changes in media law allowed for greater concentration of ownership and less scrutiny. Before the Internet disrupted revenue models, newspapers were already under pressure to deliver big results for corporate owners.
Infotainment became a buzzword in the trade decades ago, along with euphemisms like soft news and news you can use. The profit motive, not necessarily a bad thing, led to a demotion of serious reporting in favor of shallower fare. The next trend was worse, with newspapers and broadcast outlets producing rage-inducing “red-meat” stories to grab audience attention.
Weaponization of the media—we won’t comment on that characterization. In contrast, we can say there are many news organizations that aspire to integrity, transparency, and professionalism. We see rising vitality in investigative reporting, explanatory journalism and conflict reporting, and new energy in college journalism. New funding models are proliferating. The business is changing, not dying.
Newsjunkie.net is a resource for journalists. We will offer information on news organizations, media owners, and advertisers—their focus, organization, and end-game.
This is a grassroots effort; we believe it has to be. You can help us achieve our mission’s essence and scope.
If you are a journalist, we need your inside view on what’s happening in your organization and the broader media market (and if we have made errors in coverage, you will let us know).
If you are a service that sells to media professionals, we invite you to work with us to help build a sustainable business model.
If you are just starting your career in journalism, we could use your help writing, editing, and fact-checking. We will not succeed without the passion and partnership of committed young professionals.
We believe this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Team Newsjunkie
Honor roll
Newsjunkie is built on the ideas and advice of many contributors. Originally a project begun in Berkeley in 2006 for re-imagining the news business, we were fortunate to have open door access to innovative journalists, publishers and other creatives for new ideas about digital journalism. Along the way to its rebirth in 2020, dozens of generous individuals lent their talent and vision to Newsjunkie. We are grateful. >>Click for honor roll