UNO, WWNO partner to launch nonprofit news initiative

The University of New Orleans is teaming up with NPR station WWNO to launch a nonprofit multimedia news initiative. The plans announced today call for creating a newsroom that produces “in-depth local reporting” on topics including government, criminal justice, business, education and the environment. The reports will be featured on a website, neworleansreporter.org and on WWNO radio. The site currently redirects to a page asking for donations to the new project, while the partners plan to launch the news by the end of the year. Content will be available, free of charge, to other news outlets. UNO says the initiative is being built on a public radio funding model, and will rely on a mix of corporate and foundation sponsors, as well as donations from readers and listeners. A release announcing the initiative says it aims to produce “thought-provoking, original reporting on key beats including public accountability and government, business, education, criminal justice, the environment, and arts and culture.” The initiative says it will seek to coordinate with other local news sources and organizations, with initial content partners to include NolaVie and The Lens.