Jane Stevens, Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow

Columbia, Mo. / The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) has launched a new network, the RJI Collaboratory, to enable entrepreneurial journalists to connect with each other while providing resources and knowledge on how to start successful Web-based news organizations or improve existing ones.

On Jan. 21, more than 100 journalists, advertising experts, community activists, technology experts, librarians, educators and students gathered-- from Washington, D.C. to Hawaii, in person and virtually -- to launch this news organization incubator.

Jane Stevens, a 2008-2009 Donald W. Reynolds Fellow, is spearheading the RJI Collaboratory. Amy Gahran and Adam Glenn, co-founders of "I, Reporter," are managing the network, which features live-blogging, video streaming and a Twitter feed.

Describing the opportunity for journalists, Stevens notes, "Hundreds of successful sites have appeared over the last few years, and they're thriving. There's a need for hundreds, perhaps thousands, more."

Stevens lists MaxPreps.com, MinnPost, WestSeattleblog.com, TheKnot.com, Huffington Post, BlogHer, Politico, the St. Louis Beacon, CSTV.com (which is now part of CBSSportsline.com) and Marketwatch as examples of successful ventures.

"As news companies have downsized," says Stevens, "it has resulted in a significant loss of good journalism so vital to U.S. citizens and our democracy. Dozens of communities now have little or no coverage of their local government. Some no longer have reporters - no journalism at all in their communities. Meanwhile there are big opportunities on the Web."

Those who will benefit by joining the RJI Collaboratory include mid-career journalists and leaders of existing news organizations who want to adopt transformational strategies necessary in a Webcentric world. The RJI Collaboratory will provide journalists with a network of support in areas such as:

. Business planning
. Advertising strategies and techniques
. Web shell and design services
. Ethics guidelines

Visit www.rjionline.org to learn more about the January event that kicked off the RJI Collaboratory, or go to the RJI Collaboratory site to become a member.

Mark Glaser, a virtual participant, live-blogged the RJI Collaboratory launch event to Media Shift.

The RJI Collaboratory is a project of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. Located at the Missouri School of Journalism on the University of Missouri campus, RJI programs are aimed at improving journalism in the service of democracy.

Some RJI initiatives focus on immediate challenges and opportunities, testing new technologies or business strategies for the gathering, formatting or delivery of news and advertising. Others are more long-range and conceptual, aimed at preserving traditional journalism values like accuracy and fairness in a chaotic technology and business environment.

In its first four years RJI has launched more than 60 journalism projects, most of them in collaboration with the nation's leading private media companies and professional journalism and advertising organizations. RJI is currently accepting proposals for the 2009-2010 class of Fellows.

About The Reynolds Journalism Institute: RJI was founded with an initial grant of $31 million from The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Reynolds Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.

Contact:
Kelly Peery, Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute
Email:
Phone: (573) 884-9121
Web: http://rji.missouri.edu