Last week was monumental for New Mexico In Depth! You probably saw the flurry of email updates, and perhaps tweets and Facebook posts as well. From continued reporting on the freezing of Medicaid payments to behavioral health providers to making state officials’ financial disclosure forms available on our website, it was a whirlwind to say the least. In addition, reporting a Las Cruces Sun-News reporter did in collaboration with us won a regional company award, which was pretty cool.
The week was especially significant for me because the N.M. Foundation for Open Government awarded me, along with the Santa Fe Reporter, an NMID partner, its annual award that goes to journalists who fight for transparency. I’m honored, but more importantly anxious to keep this important work going.
Which brings me to NMID’s most significant article from last week: a commentary from Executive Director Trip Jennings issuing a challenge to the governor: “Madame Governor, you say you want the media to help the public understand your administration’s decision to suspend Medicaid payments to organizations. First, you can help by telling your employees to answer reporters’ questions.”
It was an important post for us that got lots of attention – more than 3,200 page views on our site, 800 likes on Facebook and 70 tweets. One commenter on our site called it an “excellent letter that should be read by Governor Martinez.” Another said he hopes it “serves as a gauntlet thrown to journalism’s face so idling reporters shift from publishing press releases” to doing serious investigative journalism.
We hope to sustain that energy and momentum, and that’s why I’m writing today. We simply can’t do it without you. We’re working to help build a stronger culture of journalism in New Mexico focused on analytical reporting that tells people’s stories and challenges power. We have grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg and McCune foundations, but such grantmakers expect and demand that we seek additional support.
And, frankly, we need funding beyond what they provide to keep this momentum going. We’re working hard but are stretched thin right now. Here’s how you can help:
- Like us on Facebook or share our Facebook page with your friends.
- Follow us on Twitter.
- Invest in our mission – donate by clicking here. If you have already made a contribution this year, thank you! Please consider challenging your family and friends to donate too. Anyone who doesn’t want to donate online can donate by phone or mail.
Your dollars and other support make a difference in all we do. Help us reach our goal of 100 donors before the end of the year! Thanks!