The idea of an independent organization of investigative journalists publishing freelance to mainstream media would have been unthinkable 10 years ago, but now the world is ready and perhaps in need for Pro Publica. An obvious reponse the WSJ/Murdoch crisis, junk journalism, and shrinking editorial budgets, Pro Publica is using that age old American mentality whereby excess capital (gotten work in our fair postmodern world of global finance) becomes moral through individually chosen philanthropic channels. Quote the morgage lender:

“Both my father and my older brother always focused on the underdog, justice, ethics, what’s right,” Mr. Sandler said. “All of my life I’ve been driven crazy whenever I encounter corruption, malfeasance, mendacity, but particularly where those in power take advantage of those who have few resources.”

Group Plans to Provide Investigative Journalism
By: Richard Perez-Pena
Oct. 15, 2007

In other, related news hitting my shore today, I am sure that this class will be full:

Our Breaking into Celebrity Journalism seminar is this Wednesday,

October 17. Class is led by Steve LeGrice, former editor-in-chief
of Inside TV magazine and a founding editor of In Touch Weekly.
He also spent ten years as executive editor of Star magazine.

Thanks to the Lohan-Hilton-Spears trio, celebrity journalism is
hotter than it has ever been. Just look at this quote from
today's New York Times.

"The early success of "TMZ," a new syndicated television show
based on the popular Web site of the same name, illustrates just
how valuable the celebrity news niche has become. The show...was
the top-rated new show in syndication."