Our mission is to inform citizens, safeguard democracy, and give communities a voice.
The Oregon Journalism Project is a new, nonprofit investigative journalism newsroom for the state of Oregon. While our organization is new, our model is not. We've been inspired by the success of similar ventures across the country. In Washington, The Seattle Times has civically funded Journalism Labs. In New Mexico, civic leaders started a statewide newsroom called Searchlight New Mexico. In Pennsylvania, civic leaders and philanthropists have launched Spotlight PA — a newsroom of watchdog journalists.
As a nonprofit, OJP has complete editorial independence. The project produces regular stories on matters of real interest to Oregonians, while shining a light on those institutions whose proper functioning is central to our quality of life. State and local government — along with the federal government’s impact on Oregon — is our main beat.
Our stories are published both online and in print. We collaborate with independent newspapers and publishers across the state, and are building a growing roster of partner publications that feature our deeply reported watchdog journalism for free. We also print our work in Willamette Week, from which our back-office services are provided via a service agreement.
We place particular emphasis on reaching, and speaking to, Oregonians who live far away from the metropolis of Portland.
Partner Publications
Albany Democrat-Herald Ashland.news Baker City Herald The Banks Post Blue Mountain Eagle Cannon Beach Gazette The Canyon Weekly (Santiam Canyon) Central Oregonian (Prineville) Columbia Gorge News Corvallis Gazette-Times Cottage Grove Sentinel Curry Coastal Pilot East Oregonian Gales Creek Journal Grants Pass Daily Courier Hells Canyon Journal Hermiston Herald Illinois Valley News Lebanon Local Lincoln Chronicle Lookout Eugene-Springfield Madras Pioneer Malheur Enterprise Newsberg The New Era (Sweet Home) News-Register (Yamhill County) North Coast Citizen The Observer (La Grande) Our Town (Silverton) Our Town Santiam (Stayton) Philomath News Polk County Itemizer-Observer Rogue Valley Times Roseburg News-Review Salem Reporter Source Weekly (Bend) Siuslaw News Tillamook Headlight Herald Vernonia’s Voice Wallowa County Chieftain Willamette Week The World (Coos Bay) Yachats News
We aim to reach every corner of the state. Please contact us if you’d like to become a partner publication.
Nourishing a healthy, powerful journalism sector across the state — and into the future.
We're not just a newsroom, though.
The state of local news means many Oregonians are without essential knowledge, effective watchdogs, and basic information about local and state government and civic institutions. Our journalism will directly fill this void, but it can be only a part of the solution. We have big plans to strengthen the sector across the state.
This includes working with the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication to establish paid reporting positions for students. In 2025 and beyond, we'll expand opportunities for students at other institutions in the state, including community colleges. We'll also develop a college-level curriculum for effective coverage of government, a critical skill set in short supply.
We plan to establish a sharing network to link and strengthen locally owned media, and will begin offering public engagement events around the state. By 2026, we hope to host the first Oregon Journalism Project Festival, which will bring together journalists from across the state to deepen their connections and share resources and best practices.
We want journalism to be as big a source of state pride as our forests, our food, and our coastline.
Oregon Journalism Project is a fiscally sponsored project of Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in the District of Columbia (EIN: 30-0100369).
