Craig Newmark on news, the media, and why he supports trustworthy journalism

If you read our previous post about grants, you might remember that Craig Newmark — “Craig from craigslist” (small C!) — supports WikiTribune, and pledged to match your donations up to $50,000 through his philanthropic fund.

Since everyone’s aware of craigslist but not many people know about Craig, we took the opportunity to chat about what he’s been up to since founding one of the most well-known sites on the web. What’s his philanthropic fund for? Why’s he supporting WikiTribune? What’s it like being Craig of craigslist?

Let’s find out.

Craig Newmark. Photo: Bleacher + Everard

You’ve done a lot since craigslist. For instance, craigconnects — “a way for people doing good work to connect” — and the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund. Can you tell us about them?

I believe in helping people out in ways that matter, and craigconnects and my philanthropic funds can do that.

That includes trustworthy journalism, reporting done in good faith—and also support for veterans and the families of active service members and vets.

I identify big areas that could use a little help, then find good people who are effective in those areas, and support them with influence and cash.

You said you support journalism — what do you think are the problems with the news media at the moment?

There are business issues, like revenue models, but I’m deliberately highly focused on trustworthy journalism — that is, reporting done in good faith.

Craig Newmark. Photo: Bleacher + Everard

There are major news outlets that knowingly deceive readers, and that’s bad for democracy anywhere.

I figure I can help news professionals focus increasingly on honest news, and also help advertising networks avoid bad faith news organisations, since their advertisers are increasingly unhappy with them.

Another problem is the persistence of vital news. For example, the financial crisis of 2008 was predicted by a number of financial writers, but their stories appeared one day, vanished the next. If those stories persisted in obvious ways, we might’ve prevented a lot of suffering.

I think WikiTribune will address those problems by practising what they preach, and by creating persistent stories that remind people of vital issues that need to be addressed.

So what kinds of stories do you think are under-reported at the moment? What would you like to see more of?

I’d like to see more reporting of corruption in Washington, setting the record straight.

For example, some reporting regarding IRS investigations of “conservative” charities was totally inaccurate, as documented by the folks at CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington).

What’s it like being ‘Craig of craigslist’?

Craig receives an award from the FBI for craigslist’s co-operation in helping to combat human trafficking (2015).

It can be surreal. I get lots of praise, but also some people believe the false narratives that have been created about the site.

I spend my days trying to not let that bother me, and focusing instead on efforts to promote philanthropy and civic engagement.

Supporting people doing good work. That sort of thing.

On that note — what would you like your obituary to say?

That I started something which enabled people to help each other out in the tens or hundreds of millions, and might have inspired others to do the same.