It’s the new media group in town--The Shreveport- Bossier City Advocate.
A newsletter was sent out saying that "We Live in Shreveport Bossier City".
Hmm---all the other employees of local media companies live in Shreveport Bossier, maybe with a few exceptions like Blanchard, Haughton, Greenwood etc.
The email goes on to say that "We have raised $480L of the $1.5M goal to fund the newsroom for the next three years. We'd appreciate you considering a donation via the Community Foundation link below."
The website of the Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana has information on a "Shreveport-Bossier Journalism Fund."
"This project seeks to fill media gaps left by the decline of traditional media sources with a focus on investigative journalism and coverage of issues in the Shreveport-Bossier area."
It goes on to say the CF has sole discretion to make grants to local media.
Hmmm.
Is the CF seeking tax deductible donations to fund which apparently is a FOR PROFIT venture?
Is the campaign a way to underwrite a newspaper owned by a very wealthy South Louisiana businessman by offering tax advantages to local residents?
Does this effort violate nonprofit rules and regulations.
The Executive Director of the CF has been sent an email requesting an explanation.
In the meantime, local citizens can continue to read FOCUS SB for breaking news as well as this blog.
Any response by the CF will be published in full.