About Us
Mission
The American Independent News Network (AINN) investigates and disseminates news that impacts public debate and advances the common good. To accomplish its mission, The American Independent News Network operates an independent online news net-work. An informed citizenry is a fundamental principle of civil society and American democracy; in the words of the Supreme Court in Garrison v. Louisiana: “Speech concerning public affairs is more than self-expression; it is the essence of self government.” Our reporting emphasizes the positive role of democratically elected government in securing the common good and social welfare, and the continuing benefits of our founding culture of egalitarian government by the people, for the people.
For a current list of supporters, please visit The American Independent News Network and consider making a tax deductible contribution to support our work.
Organization History
The American Independent News Network was founded as the Center for Independent Media on May 1, 2006, as a nonpartisan nonprofit organization. The center created the New Journalist Pilot Program to test the hypothesis that a melding of blog technology with the standards of professional journalism could produce original news and information, which in turn would contribute to diversifying public debate around issues of importance.
The New Journalist Pilot Program operated in two states — Colorado and Minnesota. Seventeen people participated in the program, collectively producing more than 2,200 original reports from July through October. A significant number of these reports triggered statewide and national attention, by drawing attention to important issues through the production of news that adhered to the standards of professional journalism. Approximately 29 million Americans were reached through the program, online and offline via television, radio, and newspapers picking up stories originated by CIM Fellows in the program.
Based on the successful performance of the New Journalist Pilot Program, a decision was made to expand operations and increase the number of programs. In May 2007, the CIM launched its third program, in Iowa. In September 2007, the Center launched its fourth program, in Michigan. A national program, based in Washington, D.C., was launched in January 2008, followed by a New Mexico program in April 2008.
In January 2010, CIM changed its name to The American Independent News Network to better reflect its mission as an online news network.
OUR PROGRAMS
The American Independent (TAI): a daily political news site — local in focus and national in scope — launched May 2010. TAI’s flexible model allows reporters to be localized to any region of the country, breaking news at a moment’s notice.
State Based News Sites: state-based programs consisting of an editor and in-state reporters reporters covering a full range of political issues across their respective state.
The Washington Independent: AINN’s national political site, reporting on issues of the Federal Government — from the Supreme Court to Congress to the White House.
Independent Journalist Training Program: recruits and enrolls talented diverse individuals into classes designed to provide our journalists with the skills to conduct serious investigative reporting that adheres to the highest standards of professional journalism. Trainees are then mentored for a six month period.
OUR NETWORK
Colorado
coloradoindependent.com
Florida
floridaindependent.com
Iowa
iowaindependent.com
Michigan
michiganmessenger.com
Minnesota
minnesotaindependent.com
New Mexico
newmexicoindependent.com
Texas
txindependent.com
Washington DC
washingtonindependent.com
THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT EDITORIAL TEAM
Senior Editor, AINN: Blake de Pastino
Managing Editor, AINN: Paul Schmelzer
Managing Editor, TAI: John Amick
Reporters, TAI: Nicolas Mendoza, Sofia Resnick and Mikhail Zinshteyn (Emails: Reporter’s first name (at) americanindependent (dot) com)
ADVERTISING
Please contact Beth Eagle, Director of Operations, at beth (at) americanindependent (dot) com, or (202) 387- 3670 ext. 221.
For more information on The American Information News Network, our programs, team, and funders, please visit tainews.org.
ADVERTISING PRIVACY POLICY
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.
PRESS INQUIRIES
For members of the media interested in speaking with one of our reporters or other press inquiries by the media, please contact our Media Manager, Kalindi Winfield at kalindi (at) americanindependent (dot) com, or (202) 387- 3670 ext. 240.
STORY TIPS
Do you have a story tip? If so, please email us at: tips (at) americanindependent (dot) com.
