November 29, 2016

Dear Friend,

Veritas. Truth.

It is fitting that Harvard’s famous motto is the very essence of what we strive to uncover in our daily work as journalists and what the Nieman Foundation is dedicated to preserving through our fellowships, programming and publications.

But as journalism – and truth – have come under attack in the aftermath of Brexit and the U.S. presidential election, Nieman’s core mission to promote and elevate the standards of journalism has taken on particular urgency.

While we have examined what went wrong with reporting, we also have highlighted what was done well and how we can thrive in a changed and charged political landscape. Along with our current class of Nieman Fellows, we are working to help pave a new path forward, one that will counter the forces of political spin and the fabrications that have gone viral.

Nieman Reports has launched the new “Election ’16: Lessons for Journalism” series in which news industry leaders explore the challenges and opportunities that will shape reporting in the years ahead. Nieman Lab and Storyboard are investigating the issues on their own sites. In addition, we are working with colleagues at Harvard and in the industry to convene the leaders committed to securing a future for the journalism of verification.

Rest assured that it hasn’t escaped our notice that many of you working under difficult conditions overseas are telling us “now you know our pain.” Our fight for a free and fair press knows no boundaries.

This is where you come in. As we close a tumultuous year, we ask for your support. Your donations help us deliver the quality of programming and fellowship that was so important to you during your Nieman year. We also ask for your ideas, your talent and your guidance as we collectively work harder than ever to secure a future for journalism and journalists. Please reach out to me at any time to share your thoughts.

You can make a contribution by sending a check to the Nieman Foundation at the address below or donating online at nieman.harvard.edu/make-a-gift. Your generosity will make an important difference to Nieman, and we commit to you that Nieman will continue to make an important difference to journalists.

With gratitude and very best wishes for the holiday season from all of us at Lippmann House,

Ann Marie Lipinski
Curator, Nieman Foundation for Journalism
annmarie_lipinski@harvard.edu