MFP Mont Free Press adams

https://montanafreepress.org/

still going 719

https://montanafreepress.org/

DM FB 2016

https://www.facebook.com/DarkMoneyFilm/posts/john-s-adams-of-montana-free-press-gives-a-great-summary-of-the-last-weeks-wrang/1004852466268278/

cjr

The last time I talked to John S. Adams, nine months ago, he was living in a cabin on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front, where he used a stack of old newspapers to stoke fires in a wood-burning stove.

An accomplished political reporter, Adams had recently left the Great Falls Tribuneamid a much-publicized Gannett restructuring. A couple of Montana’s top political journalists had just been let go by another chain when we spoke, creating a hole in the state’s media ecosystem. At the time, Adams was underemployed and eager to get back to work. But he wasn’t ready to be a media entrepreneur.

“I’m hoping that somebody comes up with a model and then says, ‘You know who we need? John Adams,’ and then I’m ready to go,” he told me then. “But I don’t know the likelihood of that happening. I hope that happens, that’s my great hope.”

Since then—with a little prodding from others—Adams has decided to try to build that model himself. The 37-year-old has started his own nonprofit news outlet, The Montana Free Press, under the fiscal sponsorship of the Institute for Nonprofit News. Adams chairs MTFP’s board, which also includes an attorney, former Democratic and Republican state senators, and an ex-investigative reporter who is now a licensed private investigator.

They’ve just started raising money, about $5,000 in the first few weeks. But since January, Adams has placed MTFP stories in more than a dozen outlets, including the state’s major newspapers. He hopes to obtain significant grant support over the first year, and eventually to develop a broad, sustainable mix of small and large donors. There’s no guarantee of success, of course—small news nonprofits have met with all sorts of different outcomes since they started proliferating a little less than a decade ago—but he’s giving it a shot.

I spoke with Adams by phone one night last week about what it’s been like to take the plunge, and we followed up over email. Below are excerpts from our conversation, edited for clarity.

You once told me you hoped someone else might start something in Montana, but now you’ve done it yourself. What made you stick with journalism instead of doing something else?

When we talked last I was kind of on the fence. I had started my own business and was doing some freelance work, and I was doing some writing and I was doing some consulting and that kind of thing. So I was kind of riding that line of doing the whole PR thing. I’d done a little of that, mostly for nonprofits and stuff. I did have one corporate client where I was writing some blog posts that had government angles, tracking transportation bills and stuff. So I was getting closer and closer to that line, on the verge of kind of crossing into a realm of pure sort of PR-type work. I felt if I did that, then that would really hamper me in terms of ever going back to being a journalist.

Nobody was knocking on my door saying, “Hey, John, we’d love to pay you a reasonable, professional salary to be a journalist in Montana.”

But you did find some people willing to help you raise money to start something of your own, though?

[I got a call from Greg Lind, a doctor and former state Senator from Missoula.] At the time Lind called me he was distraught, like many people, over the loss of the statehouse reporters. Apparently he had been calling around to his friends in Helena to see what could be done about it. His friends apparently sent him my way and he called me up out of the blue.

He asked if I was still interested in doing journalism. I said I was, but I didn’t know how I would get paid. He said, “What if we could raise enough money to pay you a living wage?” I said great. That’s a totally oversimplified version of the actual conversation, but that’s it in a nutshell.

So why a nonprofit model?

I looked at a for-profit model and I looked at a nonprofit model, and I weighed he pros and cons. Ultimately I decided the way that I would be most satisfied that what I’m doing is my work and that it’s completely independent and that I have total editorial control over everything is the nonprofit model.

So I gathered together a group who I considered to be smart, talented, go-getter-type individuals with knowledge of the reporting world. Former journalists, people who are passionate about journalism, inner-circle-type folks, and I got them together and said, “What do you guys think about this?” And we started approaching some people who have some money in the state and we said, “We want to do this, we think that there is an appetite for this kind of independent, unbiased, investigative/political journalism in Montana, do you agree?”

And what we heard was, unanimously, “Yes, we think this is worthwhile.”

And so we were sort of challenged to come up with something. So I came up with the name Montana Free Press, bought the domain, and then I built the website, and then I populated it from my old blog The Lowdown.

So now you’re kind of a one-man nonprofit news outlet publishing original journalism, and I see you’re partnering with newspapers. How does that work?

It’s been a pretty easy sell to the newspapers. Montana is a small state, so I know a lot of these people either personally or by reputation.

The first one was in theBozeman Chronicle. What happened was I found that someone who I used to view as a competitor had made an FOI request for the same information I had requested months earlier. I thought, shit, I don’t really want to have to compete with him on this. So I called him up and I said, “How about instead of us working against each other we work together?” I talked to him about it, he looped his editor in on it, and I sat down with his editor, and I said, “Why don’t we just combine resources and you guys provide some editorial services. You give me a copy edit, we work together on this story, you get first crack at it, I publish the story in your paper first, and you guys give me a little bit of editorial oversight.” And they said, “Yeah, that works great.”

So that’s how it worked. It was on their website that night, it was in their paper the next day, and then I went around and called up a bunch of other editors I had relationships with and I said, “Hey, this story is now available for you to run as well.” TheChronicle got their scoop and then these other papers have the opportunity to run it.

That’s kind of the model I’m working on right now. If I publish on my website it’s available for anybody to use, but if I’m working with a paper they get first shot at it. They get it free. For me, the bottom line is that the people of Montana get this information.

One of the things we talked about in June was how you were much more into being a journalist than trying to run a business. Now you’re doing both.

Yeah. Definitely one of the things I’m having to get used to is being the face of an organization. I’m doing a lot of public radio, a lot of interviews where I’m talking about my reporting.

The biggest challenge is money. We just started raising money. I guess the thing that surprises me the most is just the amount of work that goes into something like this. I mean, it’s a tremendous undertaking. For someone who is a journalist who has no experience as an entrepreneur, a businessperson or whatever, to start something from the ground up, there are so many details that you have to be on top of at all times. I basically spend about 12 hours a day doing this job right now.

When you talked to me in June I was living in my buddy’s cabin. I’ve had the advantage of being in the position to take a lot of risk, and put a lot on the line because I didn’t have a lot to lose. That’s a lot different from somebody that has a mortgage payment, kids in school, whatever. I can’t really give good advice to somebody else because I can’t imagine most people are going to have the good fortune that I have had of a strong network of people who are willing to help keep me afloat while I embark on this crusade.

What resources have been helpful to you in this venture?

The Institute for Nonprofit Newsand other individual nonprofit news organizations. A huge breakthrough for me was just looking up INN’s membership list and just cold-calling editors. I think INN provides a tremendous resource to anybody starting one of these things, but even more so I think calling up INN members and just talking to these individuals and saying, “How did you do it?” Most of these organizations come from a similar genesis story. A lot of them are former disgruntled employees from some major corporate newspaper chain who left and started their own thing. But everybody who does it does it differently. Some people raised money first before ever publishing a thing. I think I’ve published in more newspapers than some members who have been around for a long time. I had a different model.

Everybody is supportive of everybody else in this business. If you’re doing this, it’s because you believe that journalism is really important, and you’re doing it because you have this—I don’t want to say hero complex, but you definitely believe that this kind of journalism is really important and really matters. Most people want to help other people who want to do this kind of thing. The advice I would give is to talk to as many of us as you can, because nobody’s got it figured out yet.

Is this model possible and sustainable in Montana?

I think that’s an open question. I haven’t answered that yet.

How will you judge success?

If I’m talking to you a year from now I will consider that a success. I’ll do this as long as it seems viable. Right now I know that I’m at the kind of point of the spear in Montana with this. I’ve got to give it at least a year I think [to get MTFP on solid footing]. I think we’re going to get enough funding. I think if we raise $150,000 in our first year and are able to hire a staff member, that will be a huge success. I think if we’re able to cover the legislature in a meaningful way and provide unparalleled content to every news organization in Montana, I’d call that a success.

Helena, Montana 500+ connections Contact info

Montana Free Press

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Highlights

Reach out to John S. for...

Probono consulting and volunteering, Joining a nonprofit board.

Message John S.

About

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) is an independent, nonprofit news agency nthat provides in-depth Montana news and analysis. Founded by veteran investigative and political reporter John S. Adams, and supported by individuals and organizations who value credible, independent reporting in the age of “fake news,” MTFP strives to shine a li... see more

Total Duration3 yrs 10 mos

TitleFounder, Editor

Dates EmployedFeb 2016 – Present

Employment Duration3 yrs 6 mos

LocationHelena, MT

TitleFounder, Editor in Chief

Dates EmployedOct 2015 – Present

Employment Duration3 yrs 10 mos

LocationHelena, MT

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) is an independent, nonprofit news agency that provides in-depth Montana news and analysis. Founded by veteran investigative and political reporter John S. Adams, and supported by individuals and organizations who value credible, independent reporting in the age of “fake news,” MTFP strives to shine a light on vital issues across the Big Sky state. ... See more

Self-employed

Freelance Writer

Company NameSelf-employed

Dates Employed2003 – Present

Employment Duration16 yrs

LocationAdams Communications

Independent research and writing, technical writing, ghostwriting, feature writing, copy writing and media consulting. Extensive knowledge of government, environment, and energy issues. Experience covering the legal system, politics, agriculture, and the Rocky Mountain lifestyle including hunting, skiing and other recreational pursuits. Ability to work on assignment and possess the to... See more

Clean Wisconsin

Director of Communications

Company Name Clean Wisconsin

Dates EmployedAug 2016 – Aug 2017

Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo

LocationMadison, Wisconsin Area

As Director of Communications, Adams was responsible for Clean Wisconsin’s media, public relations, social media, and marketing needs. A Door County native, Adams spent 12 years working as an award-winning investigative and government reporter in Montana before returning to his home state to lead Clean Wisconsin’s communications office.... See more

USA TODAY

Correspondent

Company NameUSA TODAY

Dates EmployedJan 2010 – Mar 2015

Employment Duration5 yrs 3 mos

Great Falls Tribune

Capital Bureau Chief

Company NameGreat Falls Tribune

Dates EmployedNov 2007 – Mar 2015

Employment Duration7 yrs 5 mos

LocationHelena, MT

Report and write from the state capital about major issues affecting people, places and landscapes in Montana, with a focus on government and politics. Specialize in in-depth watchdog journalism, comprehensive policy analysis, open government advocacy and computer-aided research.

Show 5 more experiences

Education

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Degree NameBA Field Of StudyEnglish, Creative writing

Dates attended or expected graduation 1997 – 2001

Activities and Societies: News Editor and Features Editor--The Pointer, Music Director--90FM WWSP, Editor-in-Chief--Cornerstone Press

Studied English, writing, literature, publishing, philosophy, environmental ethics, wildlife, biology and natural resources. Served as Editor-in-Chief at Cornerstone Press, a student-run book publisher. Served as News Editor of "The Pointer," the student newspaper. Served as Music Director and host of "Jazz Sides" for 90 FM, WWSP, the college radio station.

Sturgeon Bay High School

Dates attended or expected graduation 1993 – 1997

Activities and Societies: Varsity Band, Varsity Track & Field, Football, Basketball.

Licenses & Certifications

NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Wilderness First Aid

Issuing authorityNOLS Wilderness Medicine

Issued date and, if applicable, expiration date of the certification or licenseIssued Apr 2017Expired Apr 2019

Credential IdentifierCredential ID 11878

See credential

High Court upholds verdict in Wittich corruption case

The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed with a lower court’s finding that former Republican state lawmaker Art Wittich violated Montana’s campaign finance laws when he illegally coordinated with third-party political groups during his 2010 primary election campaign.

August 23, 2017 | https://montanafreepress.org/high-court-upholds-verdict-in-wittich-corruption-case/

Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed with a lower court’s finding that former Republican state lawmaker Art Wittich violated Montana’s campaign finance laws when he illegally coordinated with third-party political groups during his 2010 primary election campaign.

In a unanimous 5-0 opinion written by Justice Beth Baker, the state Supreme Court concluded that former Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl properly investigated the case against Wittich, and they affirmed District Judge Ray Dayton’s decision to fine Wittich $68,232.58.

The case was widely viewed as a test of Montana’s campaign finance disclosure laws that require candidates to report all contributions from outside groups or individuals.

Former Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl brought the case against Wittich in 2014. The lawsuit stemmed from a 2010 political practices complaint Billings Republican Debra Bonogofsky filed against her primary opponent, Dan Kennedy. That complaint alleged illegal coordination between Kennedy and various groups that provided unreported campaign services. A subsequent investigation by Motl’s office implicated other Republican candidates who also allegedly accepted illegal campaign contributions from groups such as American Tradition Partnership and its affiliated corporations.

Wittich all along maintained that he never had contact with anyone at the National Right to Work Committee and that he didn’t know he was benefitting from services he didn’t pay for.Following a five-day trial in Helena in April 2016, a jury of six men and six women determined Wittich illegally benefited from corporate campaign contributions and services from American Tradition Partnership and other groups tied to the National Right to Work Committee.

Gene Jarussi, the Billings-based attorney who represented Montana Commissioner of Political Practices office in lengthy case said he was pleased with the high court’s decision.

“I’ve always felt the case was properly brought, properly investigated, properly handled by the district court and properly decided by the jury,” Jarussi said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “I believed the Montana Supreme Court would affirm the jury’s decision and it has does so today.”

Wittich, who has remained defiant throughout the proceedings against him, repeatedly called the case against him a “witch hunt,” and claimed he was a victim of political persecution orchestrated by an over-zealous Democratic partisan.

Wittich reiterated those statements when reached by phone Wednesday.

“The case was a bogus case from day one, and it’s still bogus,” Wittich said. “It was brought by longtime historical political hacks, and the Supreme Court has now set a dangerous precedent that there are two sets of campaign regulations: one is enforced against Republicans, and the other is ignored for Democrats.”

Wittich said the case against him has already had a chilling effect on “conservative reformers.”

“It has silenced reform. It is intimidation against reformers,” Wittich said. “When you allow a biased enforcer to impose double standards, it has a huge effect. That’s by design. That’s their goal.”

Motl, who is no longer serving as the state’s top political enforcer, scoffed at Wittich’s characterization of the case as a partisan attack.

“Well that’s good spin, but it can’t be the case,” Motl said, pointing out the fact that Bonogofsky, the source of the original complaint, is a Republican.

Motl filed lawsuits against nine Republican candidates as a result of Bonofosky’s original complaint. So far there have been two court decisions, one jury decision, one Supreme Court Decision, and four settlements, Motl said.

“Nobody along the way has found that there wasn’t a significant campaign scandal involved, and that Mr. Wittich was front-and-center involved in that scandal,” Motl said.

Motl said with the Supreme Court decision “justice is served.”

“I think justice is particularly hard to achieve in election related cases. So that’s why this particular result is, I think, a good day for many Montanans,” Motl said.

Current Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan said the Supreme Court’s decision strengthens Montana’s campaign finance and disclosure laws.

“The decision is good for the citizens of the state of Montana,” Mangan said. “It shows that we have strong, open, and transparent campaign finance and disclosure laws that folks should be able to rely on well into the future.”

Jarussi agreed that the decision affirms Montana campaign finance laws.

“Maybe more important to me, it shows that Montanans care that our politicians comply with the law, and if they don’t comply we will hold them accountable in our state,” Jarussi said.

The high court’s decision could be the final word in a high-profile case that has captivated Montana political observers for years. Wittich said he does not know if he plans to appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court.

“At this point I’m still trying to digest it,” Wittich said. “It may be time to serve in other ways.”

ABOUT JOHN S. ADAMS

Wittich to Get His Day in Court

By John S. Adams, Editor-in-Chief

After more than two years of allegations, counter-claims, investigations, and back-and-forth legal maneuverings, the high-profile campaign practices lawsuit between a Democratic appointee and a Republican state lawmaker will finally go before a jury on Monday.

March 25, 2016 | https://montanafreepress.org/wittich-to-get-his-day-in-court/

New judge assigned to political corruption lawsuit

(photo courtesy Thom Bridge/Independent Record)

By John S. Adams, Editor-in-Chief

The Helena district court judge Gov. Steve Bullock recently appointed to the bench has recused herself from presiding over a high-profile political corruption case involving one of Bullock’s staunchest critics.

February 4, 2016 | https://montanafreepress.org/new-judge-assigned-to-political-corruption-lawsuit/