Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Tuesday, First Look Media and the Democracy Fund announced more than $12 million in new grants to support, among other organizations, the Centre for Public Integrity.
Their investment in the centre, $3 million over two years, marks one of the largest grants it has ever received.
The Centre for Public Integrity said the money will allow it invest in its operations, digital and reporting capacities at a time when investigative journalism was needed more than ever.
In a press release issued by the Democracy Fund today, President Joe Goldman said, “A healthy democracy cannot exist without a vibrant public square in which hard-hitting, independent media inform the public and hold power accountable. Investigative journalists play a crucial role in our political system.”
The Centre for Public Integrity noted that the $3 million grant further allow it build on what it does best, providing citizens with data-driven facts regarding policy and administrative changes at the federal and state levels and clarify the impact these changes will have on citizens’ rights, health and future.
In an era of great hostility toward the media, the Centre’s skilled reporters are poised to take on powerful and potentially antagonistic leaders in the corridors of power.
“We intend to investigate conflicts of interest and attempts by private interests and foreign governments to curry favour and influence policy. And, we intend to expand our digital distribution and increase the public’s engagement with our work,” CEO of Centre for Public Integrity, Mr John Dunbar, said in a statement.
