Where Can the Money Come From?

In journalism, "nonprofit" organizations are expensive — which begs the question of if nonprofits can even exist in the field of journalism.

According to a 2009 Slate article, most nonprofits get their funding from handouts and philanthropists until the money runs dry. From 2005 to 2012, it's been estimated that $250 million dollars has been donated to independent news outlets. With the decline in quality of mainstream journalism, it makes perfect sense that philanthropists have been tossing their money to independent media: how else would important stories concerning others reach the public?

And without these philanthropists, will journalism be able to survive?

I'm not sure. Mainstream media has been having a difficult time of understanding what proper news is for centuries because of their source of funding. It's nearly impossible to write a story about the corruption at Disney when your publication itself is owned by Disney. Biting the hand that feeds you will likely lead to a cut in funding, which then causes the indirect censorship of mainstream media.

Donations are key to helping independent media thrive. While they're difficult to come by, ever cent does help to produce real journalism. Where would The Intercept be without the help of the former CEO of eBay?