For Citizens
What is a Tip?
Anyone can create a news “tip” about an important topic you think should be reported on. This is often related to the question “what are you passionate about?” You can pledge to this tip, but no money is taken – it’s just a way to show how much interest you have in this possibly becoming a pitch. Creating a tip could be the spark that starts an investigation.
What’s the difference between Pledge and Donate?
Pledges give reporters a sense of community interest in a news “tip.” It does not represent real money. Nothing is committed – although we ask you pledge only what you’d be willing to eventually donate if a reporter builds a full “pitch” inspired by this tip. Donations are a transaction. If the pitch is unsuccesful, No money will ever be taken.
What happens to the finished content?
Finished content is licensed under Creative Commons and anyone is free to republish it. WNYMedia and voxbuffalo works with local news organizations to get it distributed in as many places as possible. Our partner news organizations can also obtain temporary copyright to the content (first publishing rights) if they donate 50% or more towards a pitch. By Default, stories will appear on WNYmedia.net or one of our many publishing partners
What is a Peer Editor?
We believe that many stories can benefit through collaboration. When you volunteer to be a “peer editor” a message is sent to the reporter that you are interested in helping out with the reporting. If the reporter has assignments, we will pass them along and you will have access to the reporters blog so you can show the reporter and the world what you have dug up. Not all stories benefit through collaboration, so joining the reporting team is done on a case by case basis by the reporter who is in charge of the pitch.
What if the pitch I donate to doesn’t reach its goal?
We do not collect money until a specific funding level has been reached. Once the tipping point of that story hits its price, the money is then collected and sent to the reporter once they finish and publish their story.
In the future we hope to build out a more dynamic credit system such that credit cards are only charged if the specific pitch you want has reached its funding goal.
Who are these reporters?
Reporters on voxbuffalo and WNYmedia are self-identified freelance journalists. We do speak with every reporter about their pitch and verify their identity. As a marketplace we will continue to build tools to enable you to find out more about these reporters and judge them on the merits of their work. But it is important to note that voxbuffalo and WNYmedia does not try to define who is and is not a journalist. Any self-identified freelancer can work with us and if they are earnest, we will reciprocate. We encourage every citizen to view the reporters profile and pitch critically before you donate.
Your Privacy
Privacy is very important to us. We will never share your information with a third party. No if’s and’s or but’s. To learn more, please check our Privacy Policy.
