The Ink People Announce New Award to Honor Humboldt Journalism

This is a press release from the Ink People:

Journalists who dig into the issues that affect people’s economic lives will be eligible for an award being established by the Humboldt Journalism Project, a new DreamMaker project of The Ink People.

It’s called the “40^th Award” because it will honor reporting about issues that affect people in the lower 40 percent of the income scale. Journalists in print, television, radio and online are eligible to enter deeply reported work aired or published locally in 2021.

The award offers a $1,500 first prize and up to two $500 honorable mentions.

“Investigative and explanatory reporting that dives into complicated problems is really tough, and it can feel thankless. We created this award as a way to say ‘thank you,’ to the people who do it well,” said Carrie Peyton-Dahlberg, coordinator of the Humboldt Journalism Project.

The Humboldt Journalism Project supports investigative and explanatory public interest reporting within Humboldt County. As the project’s donor base grows, it also hopes to provide grants for freelance reporting.

“Around the country, there are some great models for nonprofit journalism, including the Fund for Investigative Reporting,” Peyton-Dahlberg said. “We’re inspired by their approach to reporting grants.”

Peyton-Dahlberg is one of four members of the Humboldt Journalism Project advisory panel, which is also made up of Deidre Pike, Ricardo Sandoval Palos and Zach St. George. All are unpaid volunteers.

            With for-profit journalism under increasing pressure from declining ad revenues, the group believes that Humboldt is ready for nonprofit options to complement the work of for-profit publishers and station owners.

            “People are hungry for solid reporting, and I hope they’ll consider donating to the Humboldt Journalism Project to support work that serves our community,” Peyton-Dahlberg said.

Donations can be made through The Ink People, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and designated for the Humboldt Journalism Project. A donate button is online at the project’s DreamMaker page. Those who prefer to write a check can make it out to The Ink People, with “Humboldt Journalism Project” in the memo line, and mail it to: The Ink People, 525 Seventh St., Eureka, CA 95501.

The 40^th Award contest rules and a preliminary entry form can be found on the project’s DreamMaker page on the Ink People website. The page also includes more information about the Humboldt Journalism Project and its advisory panel.