I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Hooray! NMI is proud to report that we’ve been selected to receive the annual First Amendment Award, to be given by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) at its Bill of Rights Celebration in October.
ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson cited several reasons for the award, including The Independent’s “critical, nonpartisan coverage of state politics; its efforts to bring legislative decision-making directly to the public through web streaming and live blogging; and its efforts to revive meaningful investigative reporting.”
Each year, ACLU-NM recognizes a journalist, author, or news outlet for outstanding commitment to transparency and honesty in reporting. The First Amendment Award is given to journalists not for agreeing with the ACLU’s positions, but for representing the highest ideals of free speech.
From left to right: Contributors Patricia Sauthoff and Larry Behrens, editor Gwyneth Doland, senior writer Trip Jennings, reporter Marjorie Childress, former senior writer Heath Haussamen and contributor Matthew Reichbach. Not pictured: reporter Bryant Furlow.
NMI team members Marjorie Childress, Bryant Furlow, Trip Jennings and Matthew Reichbach join editor Gwyneth Doland and former staffers David Alire Garcia and Heath Haussamen in fist-pumping, high-fiving and ridiculous end-zone dancing…er…we mean…delight at this news.
We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Larry Behrens and Patricia Sauthoff, who helped us dramatically expand our coverage of the last legislative session, including detailed reports from committee meetings, insightful stories about major decisions on the floor and brilliant live blogging.
Thanks to all of the writers, editors and interns who’ve worked with us since 2008, especially Barb Armijo, John Arnold, Danielle Bauer, Joel Gay, Allison Littman, Tim McGivern, Kate Nelson, Laura Paskus, Kate Rodgers, Peter St. Cyr and Denise Tessier.
Accountability reporting is the signature of The New Mexico Independent,” said David S. Bennahum, President and CEO of The American Independent News Network, which publishes The New Mexico Independent. “We are thrilled that NMI is being recognized for its work by the ACLU of New Mexico with this honor.”
