Truthout facts for kids
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| Formation | 2001 |
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| Type | 501(c)3 organization |
| Legal status | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
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Employees
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25 |
Truthout is an American non-profit news group. It focuses on important social issues. Truthout shares independent reports and comments. It looks at topics like fairness for everyone, climate change, and how our economy works.
Truthout's main leaders are Ziggy West Jeffery, the Executive Director, and Negin Owliaei, the Editor-in-Chief. In 2021, the group's yearly budget was about $2.2 million.
Truthout's Story
How Truthout Started
Truthout began in 2001. It was founded after the 2000 United States presidential election. By 2006, the organization had grown to thirty employees.
A Challenging News Story
In 2006, Truthout published a story about a government official named Karl Rove. The story said he had been charged with a crime. Mr. Rove's spokesperson said the story was not true.
Truthout defended its story. They said they had several sources who confirmed the information. However, the official investigation ended without Mr. Rove being charged.
Reporting on Government Questioning Methods
In 2009, Truthout published a report. It was about how the Bush administration used certain questioning methods. This report was mentioned by a TV show and by a U.S. Senator.
Becoming a Unionized Workplace
In 2009, Truthout made history. It became the first online-only news website where employees formed a union. A union is a group that helps workers have a stronger voice.
Truthout's staff has always worked from different places. This made forming a union a bit different. They used faxes to collect signatures for their union cards. Truthout's leaders recognized the union on the same day. Many Truthout employees are part of the NewsGuild-CWA union today.
Reporting on Oil Company Safety
In 2010, Truthout shared a report about safety issues at BP, a large oil company. This report was used by the TV show 60 Minutes. It also helped inform a hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives. The report highlighted concerns about safety at an oil field in Alaska.
Website Hacked in 2011
In 2011, Truthout's website was attacked by hackers. Ten days of their articles were deleted.
Revealing Offshore Fracking Information
In 2013, a Truthout journalist named Mike Ludwig found important information. He used a special law called the Freedom of Information Act. He discovered that a drilling method called "fracking" was being used in the ocean. This was happening near Santa Barbara, California.
Fracking is a way to get oil or gas from deep underground. Environmental groups were worried about this. They protested, and there was a lot of public discussion. Eventually, new rules were made. These rules require oil companies to share what chemicals they use when fracking in the ocean.
In 2016, Truthout and journalist Dahr Jamail shared Navy documents. These documents showed plans for combat training in non-military areas of Washington state. The Navy had not done all the necessary checks for these plans.
Because of Truthout's report, the Navy had to postpone this training. The report also caused discussion within the Washington state government. They had not known about the Navy's plans.
Journalists and Protests
In 2017, a Truthout writer named Aaron Miguel Cantú faced legal issues. He was covering a protest during the inauguration of Donald Trump. He was one of several journalists who faced charges. In 2018, all charges against him and many others were dropped.
Truthout's Programs and Partners
Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism
In 2023, Truthout started a new program. It's called the Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism. This center helps smaller, newer news groups. It gives them advice on how to grow and stay strong. It also helps with their stories and business plans.
The center wants to help create a strong network of different news sources. This helps people understand the world better. Truthout also works with other news groups on stories. For example, a series of videos about alternatives to traditional policing won an award in 2024.
Media Against Apartheid and Displacement
In March 2024, Truthout helped create a website called Media Against Apartheid and Displacement (MAAD). This website shares articles from many progressive news groups. The articles are about the Israel-Gaza war and efforts for peace. It brings together different viewpoints on these global conflicts.
Keeley Schenwar Memorial Essay Prize
The Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism also runs an essay contest. It's called the Keeley Schenwar Memorial Essay Prize. This prize is for personal essays written by authors who have been in prison or were formerly incarcerated.
The prize is named after Maya Schenwar's sister, Keeley. Keeley wrote for Truthout about her experiences in prison. Each year, two winners receive $3,000. Their essays are published on Truthout's website. The prize was first given out in 2021.
Awards Truthout Has Won
Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism
In 2012, Truthout journalist Gareth Porter won the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. He won for his work on military strategies in Afghanistan. The judges said he showed how the government's plans affected people.
Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Awards
In 2013, Maya Schenwar won an award for her online columns. She wrote about topics like mass incarceration and solitary confinement. This award was from the Society of Professional Journalists.
San Francisco Press Club Journalism Awards
A joint investigation by Truthout and Earth Island Journal won awards in 2018. The report was called "America's Toxic Prisons." It won awards for environmental reporting and investigative reporting.
2018 Izzy Award
Dahr Jamail won the 2018 Izzy Award. This award celebrates great independent media. He won for his reporting on climate change and other environmental issues. The judges praised his urgent and passionate reporting.
2021 Izzy Award
The Izzy Award was given to Truthout in 2021. It was also given to journalists Liliana Segura and Tim Schwab.
Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award
In 2022, Truthout received The Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award. This award recognized Truthout's independent reporting on many social justice issues.
2024 Anthem Award
In 2024, Truthout won an Anthem Award for News & Journalism. This was for a series of videos called "Remaking the Exceptional." These videos were made with Zealous and Teen Vogue. They talked about common ideas about policing and other ways to keep communities safe.
Truthout's Team
Truthout's Executive Director is Ziggy West Jeffery. The Editor-in-Chief is Negin Owliaei.
The Board of Directors includes Maya Schenwar, Henry A. Giroux, and Lewis R. Gordon.
Truthout's Board of Advisors includes Mark Ruffalo, Dean Baker, Richard D. Wolff, William Ayers, and Mark Weisbrot. Howard Zinn, who has passed away, was also a member of the advisory board.
William Rivers Pitt, who has passed away, was Truthout's senior editor and lead columnist.
