Posted on September 26, 2018

The Alvin H. Baum Family Fund is partnering with the Better Government Association to support environmental reporting in Chicago and across the state of Illinois. Below is the text of the BGA press release:

The Better Government Association and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications are launching an investigative reporting collaboration in which veteran reporters and editors from the Chicago-based, non-profit news organization will work with graduate students from one of the top journalism schools in the nation. Their first area of focus will be on the nexus of government and the environment.

Through this innovative new partnership, three students with Medill’s graduate-level multimedia journalism program will collaborate with the BGA on environmental reporting with an eye toward both publishing stories and giving extensive experience to up-and-coming journalists.

“Medill has a long history of teaching investigative reporting,” said Medill Interim Dean Charles Whitaker. “We are excited to partner with the BGA to provide students with the opportunities to learn while producing stories that are critically important to our region.”

The BGA will provide the Medill students an opportunity to work in a professional newsroom directed primarily to conduct in-depth investigative reporting, using data analytics, public-records requests and tried-and-true shoe-leather reporting. The Medill students will bring to the BGA fresh eyes and new perspectives on subjects likely to be of significant concern for years to come.

The students were selected by the BGA and Medill.

“The next generation of reporters needs to understand the environmental issues that are a health and safety concern in Illinois and across the country. We are pleased to partner with Northwestern University’s Medill School to produce great investigative journalism on this vitally important topic,” said David Greising, president and CEO of the BGA.

This partnership is made possible by support from the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund, which supports environmental reporting in Chicago and across the state of Illinois.

“We are pleased to see the BGA strategically leverage our support to amplify their efforts and help foster the next generation of reporters,” said Joel M. Friedman, president of the Baum Family Fund. “Through multiple channels, both cutting edge and time tested, BGA and Medill will communicate the urgency of informing the public and governmental leaders about environmental issues affecting Illinois.”

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Source: www.bettergov.org