Microsoft selects MCIR for program to preserve journalism
Courtesy of Microsoft
By Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting
The Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting will be part of Microsoft’s new pilot program, aimed at preserving local journalism.
The investigative reporting nonprofit has been discussing the project with Microsoft officials, which are seeking to aid local journalism in Jackson and the Mississippi Delta. Other local partners include The Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi Today, Mississippi Public Broadcasting and The Jackson Advocate.
“We couldn’t be more excited to work together with Microsoft and our partners to help make a difference in Mississippi,” said longtime investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell, who founded MCIR. “Democracy depends on informed citizens, and we as journalists play a critical role in making that happen. This is why journalism is not just important; it is a key to our survival.”
Microsoft officials decided to take on the project to aid local newsrooms after learning that newsroom employment in the U.S. has dropped by half, and 2,100 newspapers have closed their doors.
“News and journalism face an accelerating crisis,” Mary Snapp, vice president of strategic initiatives for Microsoft, wrote. “The pandemic has put even more stress on newsrooms as advertisers pulled back. Since January, 11,000 newsroom jobs were cut in the U.S.”
She said the new initiative is aimed at supporting local newsrooms, providing tools, technology and funding for pilot programs, and digital security and safety for journalists, who face increased threats.
“We hope that by working with others, and by innovating and testing, we can play a role in finding sustainable solutions to some of the challenges journalism faces,” she said.
Microsoft is also seeking to help “restore trust in the news and information people receive,” using its research and new technology to sniff out “deepfakes” and “manipulated content,” she said. “It’s clear that public education and media literacy are critical components.”
Microsoft is running pilot programs as well in Fresno, California, the El Paso–Ciudad Juárez cross-border region and Yakima, Washington.
"Being a part of this pilot program will enable MCIR and the other partners to continue the kind of investigative journalism that has pushed the needle for needed change in Mississippi, exposing not only wrongs but also helping those seeking justice to be heard," said MCIR Managing Editor Debbie Skipper