For immediate release: September 1, 2009

Media Contact: Bob Ross at 405/604-5388

Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation Announces

New Grant Guidelines with Major Focus on Investigative Reporting

(Oklahoma City) --- Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation announced new grant guidelines reflecting priority funding for investigative reporting projects.

The watchdog role of legacy media is in jeopardy due to the economic crisis facing the journalism industry, said Bob Ross, President and CEO. Were working to secure its future by funding investigative reporting models of innovation, sustainability and collaboration.

The Foundation will support investigative reporting programs nationwide. This includes programs from those organizations that have been long-time partners of investigative reporting as well as from startup organizations and projects.

The Foundation seeks to increase investigative reporting and watchdog journalism on state and local issues and is also encouraging the development of digital innovations that make data about state and local issues more available to the public.

Founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord, Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundations mission is to invest in the future of journalism by building the ethics, skills and opportunities needed to advance principled, probing news and information. The Foundation makes grants to journalism schools and other non-profit organizations focused on the news media.

Under the new guidelines, the foundation invites proposals that address its three core areas of focus. In addition to Investigative Reporting, they include Professional Development and Youth Education projects.  Projects that address an emerging need in journalism are also invited.

Letters of Inquiry for the next grant cycle will be accepted until October 15, 2009. More information about Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, the new guidelines and selection criteria can be found at www.journalismfoundation.org.

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