Truthout facts for kids
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Type of site
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Daily news |
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| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
| Editor | Britney Schultz |
| Employees | 25 |
| Commercial | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Launched | 2001 |
| Current status | Active |
Truthout is a special kind of news organization. It's a non-profit group, which means it doesn't try to make money for owners. Instead, it uses its funds to support its mission.
Truthout focuses on giving you independent news and opinions. They cover many important topics about making the world a fairer place. These include issues like climate change, how our economy works, and LGBTQIA+ rights in the U.S. They also talk about social justice and making sure everyone is treated fairly.
The current leader of Truthout is Ziggy West Jeffery, who is the Executive Director. Britney Schultz is the Editor-in-Chief. In 2021, the organization used about $2.2 million to run its operations.
How Truthout Started and Grew
Truthout began in 2001. Over the years, it has reported on many important stories. These stories have helped people learn about big issues and even caused changes to happen.
Reporting on Safety at BP
In 2010, Truthout published a report about safety concerns at a BP oil drilling site. This report was so important that a TV show called 60 Minutes used it as a source. The report helped show how a whistleblower had warned about possible dangers.
Later, the United States House of Representatives looked into the safety of pipelines. They used Truthout's investigative report to help with their study. This shows how Truthout's work can influence important government discussions.
What Happened in the 2011 Hack?
In 2011, Truthout had a problem with its website. It was hacked, and ten days' worth of articles were deleted. This was a challenging time for the organization.
Uncovering Offshore Fracking
In 2013, a Truthout journalist named Mike Ludwig found out something important. He used a special request called the Freedom of Information Act. This request showed that a drilling method called fracking was being used in the ocean near California. This area, the Santa Barbara Channel, is very important for nature.
This discovery worried many people who care about the environment. It led to protests and lots of public discussion. Eventually, rules were changed. The EPA made new rules. These rules said that companies drilling offshore had to tell everyone what chemicals they were putting into the ocean.
In 2016, Truthout and journalist Dahr Jamail shared important documents. These documents showed that the Navy planned combat training in areas of Washington state that were not military zones. The Navy had not done all the necessary checks or coordinated with local officials.
Because Truthout shared these documents, the Navy had to delay its training. This also caused a stir in the Washington state government, as they had not known about the Navy's plans.
Awards and Recognition
Truthout and its journalists have won many awards for their excellent reporting. These awards show how important their work is.
Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award
In 2022, Truthout received The Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award. This award was given by the Crossroads Fund. It recognized Truthout for its independent reporting and commentary on many different social justice issues.
Izzy Awards
Truthout has won the Izzy Award multiple times. This award celebrates outstanding work in independent media.
- In 2021, Truthout won the thirteenth annual Izzy Award.
- In 2018, Dahr Jamail, a journalist who writes for Truthout, also won an Izzy Award. He was recognized for his reporting on climate change and other environmental topics. The judges praised his urgent and passionate reporting, which was supported by science and on-the-scene information.
San Francisco Press Club Journalism Awards
A joint investigation by Truthout and Earth Island Journal won awards in 2018. Their report, "America's Toxic Prisons," won second place in two categories. These were for environment/nature reporting and investigative reporting.
Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism
In 2012, Truthout journalist Gareth Porter received the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. He won for his work on the Obama administration's military plans in Afghanistan. The award recognized how he revealed important details about the strategy.
Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Awards
Maya Schenwar, who is now the editor in chief of Truthout, won an award in 2013. She was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for her online columns. Her writing focused on important topics like mass incarceration and solitary confinement.
Who Works at Truthout?
Truthout has a dedicated team that helps create its news and commentary.
The Executive Director is Ziggy West Jeffery. Britney Schultz is the Editor-in-Chief.
Truthout also has a Board of Directors. This group helps guide the organization. Some members include Maya Schenwar, Professor Henry A. Giroux, and Lewis R. Gordon.
There is also a Board of Advisors. These are people who offer advice and support. Famous members include Mark Ruffalo, Dean Baker, and Richard D. Wolff. The late Howard Zinn, a well-known historian, was also a member of this board.
