More on paying for newspaper reporters

"The fact of the matter is philanthropic institutions have provided millions of dollars over the years to help journalists do their work. Journalists have an unfortunate habit of not acknowledging that," says Charles Lewis, head of the nonprofit Fund for Independence in Journalism. From 1989 through 2004, he served as founding executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, which "raised and spent $30 million [on journalism projects] in the years I was there."

http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=4458

In Chicago, “NBC Owned Television Stations' partnerships with four nonprofit news organizations” resulted in several stories. But, what does “nonprofit news organizations” mean? Does it mean reporters, editors and camera operators don’t get paid? Not at all. Nonprofit means the organizations are not in business to make a profit. Nonprofit means the organizations do not have what most of us consider “normal” advertising. Like PBS intros, “This program was made possible by grants from …”

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59742/nbc-oos-nonprofits-make-news-deal-work

We all pretty much suspect that a for-profit newspaper won’t go after stories that might upset its largest advertisers. So why would we trust stories written by reporters who are paid by a nonprofit or conglomeration of nonprofits?

If someone outside the newspaper pays a reporter’s salary, the reporter is producing propaganda.