The Minnesota Independent
 | |
Type of site | Online magazine |
|---|---|
| Owner | American Independent News Network |
| Created by | American Independent News Network |
| URL | www.minnesotaindependent.com |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | To Add Comments |
| Launched | August 2006; shut down in November 2011 |
| Current status | Inactive |
The Minnesota Independent, formerly Minnesota Monitor, and sometimes known as MnIndy, was an independent online news website. It launched in August 2006, with a focus on coverage of political issues. The website was funded by the American Independent News Network. The website was closed down in 2011.[1]
Background
Minnesota Independent was staffed by both salaried reporters and paid fellows who received a stipend for their writing contributions.[2] The initial pool of writers included a number of journalists and liberal Minnesota bloggers, including original site editor Robin Marty, Somali journalist Abdi Ayne, Joe Bodell and others. Later, the site brought on board professional journalists, such as Eric Black, who had written for the Star Tribune, and former City Pages writers Paul Demko and Molly Priesmeyer. The site was edited by Paul Schmelzer, and received about 150,000 unique visitors per month. Traffic surpassed 250,000 in the month preceding the 2008 U.S. elections and surpassed 260,000 unique monthly visits in April 2009.[3] A week after election day, the Center for Independent Media cut funding for two of six full-time staff members, Andy Birkey and Molly Priesmeyer, and for the entire freelance staff.[4] Birkey has since been hired back, and a freelance budget, albeit smaller, was reinstated.
History
Minnesota Independent broke a number of stories. During the Keith Ellison Qur'an oath controversy, the Independent's Abdi Aynte reported that Keith Ellison would not change his mind about being sworn in on the Qur'an. The Independent was the first to report that Living Word Christian Center may have violated IRS guidelines during a speech at the Church by Michele Bachmann.[citation needed] The story resulted in an ethical complaint being filed by CREW against the church.[citation needed] The site also broke news that Minnesota United States Attorney Rachel Paulose was under investigation for mishandling classified information, and that a staffer for Rep. Michele Bachmann had sent out an emailed plea for support that violated house ethics rules.[5]
Editorial stance
The Minnesota Independent's focus and editorial slant was politically left. Fellows were drawn from media outlets including City Pages and the Star Tribune, as well from the left-of-center blogging community in Minnesota. The site featured a code of ethics that reads in part, "New Journalist Fellows should be honest, tireless, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information for the public."[6]
Contributors
- Andy Birkey
- Patrick Caldwell
- Luke Johnson
- Paul Schmelzer (Editor)
References
- ↑ Brauer, David (November 16, 2011). "Minnesota Independent staffer says news site is shutting down". MinnPost. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ↑ Center for Independent Media » Programs
- ↑ "Minnesota Monitor: This Year's Visits by Month". Site Meter courtesy. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ↑ Turck, Mary (November 10, 2008). "Minnesota Independent staff slashed, DC office fumbles for explanation". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Twin Cities Media Alliance. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ↑ Minnesota Monitor:: Bachmann Email May Violate Federal Law, House Ethics Rules
- ↑ Minnesota Monitor:: Code of Ethics
External links
- 2006 establishments in Minnesota
- 2011 disestablishments in Minnesota
- News magazines published in the United States
- Online magazines published in the United States
- Defunct magazines published in the United States
- Magazines established in 2006
- Magazines published in Minnesota
- Mass media in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
- Magazines disestablished in 2011