What is the Connecticut News Project?
Why is the project needed?
Is CTMirror.org another blog?
Are you competing with the other Connecticut media?
How is The Mirror financed?
Who is on the staff?
Who is on the Board of Directors?
What is the Board of Directors' role in defining CT Mirror's news coverage?
Do you accept advertising?
How do I submit a comment to a story or an opinion/op-ed piece?
What is the proper attribution when using CT Mirror content?
Q: What is the Connecticut News Project?
Answer: The Connecticut News Project, Inc., is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization — a 501(c)(3) — created in 2009 to reinvigorate coverage of state government, public policy and politics. Our primary goal is to ensure that the people of Connecticut are better informed about their government so they can more effectively participate in the development of public policy and hold officials accountable for addressing the state's needs. Through original reporting presented on our website, www.ctmirror.org, and distributed through various platforms and technologies, we are reasserting the "watchdog" role of the media. And, through internships, CNP is helping to help train a new generation of journalists.
Q: Why is the project needed?
Answer: Years of declining revenues have forced most traditional news organizations in the state to cut back coverage in all areas, including government and public policy. One indicator is the number of reporters covering the state Capitol: In 1989, two dozen reporters representing most of the daily newspapers in the state covered the Capitol full time; today, less than a third remain. Another indicator is the news space allotted to this coverage, which also has declined with the size of newspapers overall. Meanwhile, the pressures and responsibilities of state governments everywhere have increased enormously.
Q: What exactly is CTMirror.org?
Answer: The Connecticut Mirror, at ctmirror.org, is a nonpartisan news site that aims to combine the best of traditional and cutting-edge media. Because of our staff's years of experience in journalism, we often lead the state on breaking news stories, setting the pace for the rest of the state's media. With the launch of our new website, we are also offering an enhanced platform for the exchange of ideas among residents, policymakers and anyone who cares about our state and nation.
Q: Are you competing with the other Connecticut media?
Answer: Yes and no. Every news organization wants to be first with the best story, and we're no different. If that competition invigorates news coverage, the public wins. But we have also formed partnerships with other organizations, including WNPR, Connecticut's largest public radio station, and with most of the newspapers in the state. You may see our content in one of nearly two dozen traditional media outlets, as well as on several other online news websites.
Q: How is The Mirror financed?
Answer: The project has received funding from a wide variety of foundations and individuals. Now in our fourth year, The Mirror continues to receive funding from many different sources and to build a sustainable business model. The success of the enterprise, of course, depends on continued contributions from groups and individuals who understand the importance of a strong, nonpartisan press in a democracy.
Q: Who is on the staff?
Jenifer Frank, editor
Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief
Keith M. Phaneuf, government, state budget, finance
Arielle Levin Becker, health
Jacqueline Rabe, education and children's issues
Ana Radelat, Washington reporter
Regular Freelancers:
Jan-Ellen Spiegel, energy and environmental issues
Grace Merritt, health and general assignment
Q: Who is on the Board of Directors?
Julie Belaga
Marcia Chambers, MSL
William Cibes, Jr., PhD.
Jeannette DeJesús
Juan Figueroa, JD
Shelley Geballe, JD, MPH
Morgan McGinley
Stanley A. Twardy, Jr., JD, LLM
Fahd Vahidy
Q: What is the Board of Directors' role in defining CT Mirror's news coverage?
Answer: None. Board members share a commitment to public service through their work in various nonprofit and educational organizations. They also share a belief that vigorous coverage of government and public policy is essential to the common good. It is that belief, rather than commitment to any particular cause, that has led them to contribute their time and expertise to the Connecticut News Project.
Q: Do you accept advertising?
Answer: Yes, in addition to sponsorships and underwriting, we do accept advertising, although it is not our primary source of funding. This is a way of associating you or your organization with the highly valuable service of providing news, information and knowledge to all Connecticut residents so they can make informed decisions that impact their communities, their families and themselves. For more information on our advertising policies , please go here: Advertising Guidelines.
Q: How do I submit a comment to a story or an opinion/op-ed piece?
Answer: There are directions at the end of each story on how to post a comment. With our new website, we are putting into effect a new comments policy — available here — that will require you to comment through your Facebook page.
To submit an opinion piece, please attach your piece in a pdf, or you can cut and paste it into an email, and send to opinion@ctmirror.org. We are very interested in thoughtful pieces that address state or national issues or policies – or local issues, if we think they would be of interest to a broad audience. Please keep them under 1,000 words (750 or so is better). Feel free to email editor@ctmirror.org to ask if we would be interested in publishing your viewpoint. Please be sure to include your full name, how you should be identified, and a phone number where we can reach you.
Q: What is proper attribution when using CT Mirror content?
Answer: If you are a printed news outlet, at the top of the story please use the author's byline with "© The Connecticut Mirror". At the end of the story please use "This story originally appeared at CTMirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror, an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering government, politics and public policy in CT."
If you are an online news source, or the online site of a newspaper, you may use the headline of a story and the first paragraph only, before referring people to the url of the Mirror story.
Funding to fix CT's roads and bridges is drying up, and officials don't have a solution
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Kasturi Pananjady
Connecticut's transportation building program is on a financial diet after a five-year ramp-up after lawmakers rejected tolls.