Journalism models

The Times reports on an interesting new model for funding journalists:

Paul E. Steiger, who was the top editor of The Wall Street Journal for 16 years, and a pair of wealthy Californians are assembling a group of investigative journalists who will give away their work to media outlets.

The nonprofit group, called Pro Publica, will pitch each project to a newspaper or magazine (and occasionally to other media) where the group hopes the work will make the strongest impression. The plan is to do long-term projects, uncovering misdeeds in government, business and organizations.

Nothing quite like it has been attempted.

Nothing? Never? Huh! I sorta thought that that's what I was attempting.

Best of luck to them!

Update: On rereading, it occurs to me that the snark here probably obscures the fact that my good luck wishes are indeed sincere. I think it's a model that has a lot of potential, and I'm happy that it's catching on with or without my group's direct influence.