VTDigger
 | |
| Format | Digital-only |
|---|---|
| Owner(s) | Vermont Journalism Trust, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization |
| Editor | Anne Galloway |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | 26 State Street, Suite 8 Montpelier, VT 05602  United States |
| Circulation | 300,000 monthly users |
| Website | vtdigger |
VTDigger is an investigative journalism platform that reports on politics, businesses, events, and public policy of Vermont.[1] VTDigger was founded in September 2009 by its current Executive Director, Anne Galloway, who was nominated for the "Vermonter of the Year Award" by The Burlington Free Press in 2016.[2] In 2010, VTDigger merged with the Vermont Journalism Trust,[3] a non-profit organization that currently publishes the site.[1] Published by a non-profit, a substantial part of its support comes from a governmental unit(s) and/or from the general public, including sponsors, gifts, and organization membership.[3] According to the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), "In the second least-populous state in the country, VTDigger is averaging nearly 300,000 monthly users, has a staff of 19 full-time employees, and an annual budget over $1.5 million" as of May 2018.[3] VTDigger has received substantial public support from government agencies and other sources, including over $1.725 million in 2016, $1.37 million in 2017, and $941,243 in 2018 (which represents 75.850 % of total revenue in 2018). VTDigger made only $21,816 from advertising revenue in 2018. Executive Director, Anne Galloway, reported total compensation of $64,519 from VTDigger in 2018.[4]
Mentions
The Institute for Nonprofit News and the Single Subject News Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy published a case study about VTDigger titled "VTDigger: A Rising Star in Nonprofit News," which details the birth and rise of VTDigger and the role of Anne Galloway in this effort.[3]
VTDigger is often referenced in the Burlington Free Press for breaking stories, such as the report of the testimony of a former Burlington College trustee before a federal grand jury about the involvement of Sen. Bernie Sanders' wife, Dr. Jane Sanders', involvement in the sale of property while she was a president of Burlington College. The Burlington Free Press credited VTDigger for breaking the news of the testimony.[5] VTDigger's coverage was also picked up in newspapers across the country.[6]
A 2010 Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU's attempt to get information from a Vermont town about an alleged racial profiling incident describes the VTDigger as a "year-old website" and suggests that accepting the help of the ACLU to investigate the incident may have placed the VTDigger in a conflict of interest with journalistic objectivity.[7] The relationship between the VTDigger and ACLU on this case is mentioned again in a Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU's request to the VT Supreme Court to release the documents related to the incident.[8]
References
- ^ a b "VTDigger.org - MondoTimes.com". Mondo Times. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Opinion". The Burlington Free Press. December 18, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Griggs, Tim. "VTDigger: A Rising Star In Nonprofit News". Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "VERMONT JOURNALISM TRUST". ProPublica. August 15, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ Murray, Elizabeth (January 8, 2018). "Burlington College investigation active in fall". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Feds looking into Bernie Sanders' wife over land deal - Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- ^ "ACLU: Group pursues alleged racial profiling". The Burlington Free Press. August 3, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Supreme Court hears plea for release of police records". The Burlington Free Press. December 9, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2018.