Why I am asking for your support
After three years, THE FILAM would like to take
its reporting to the next level. We would like to start an investigative
reporting project that will explore deeper reporting on the community and
engage Filipino-American
journalism students or media majors who might want to write about issues. The topics are not limited
to exposing problems and wrongdoings among community leaders and organizations, but will
discuss in-depth serious topics that are current or of wide interest. One largely untold story is the plight of undocumented Filipinos in immigration
jails. Another relevant but under-reported issue
is the
financial viability of Filipino restaurants: why some thrive and others can’t seem to have a command of
the market. The challenges faced by Filipino
nurses is another topic worth exploring: Are those challenges the same whether they work in hospitals or in nursing homes?
What is THE FILAM?
THE FILAM is an online magazine serving
Filipinos in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Founded March 15, 2011, by journalist Cristina DC Pastor, THE
FILAM came to be known as an independent publication run by a member of
the working press. It features mostly original content about FilAms in
the arts and entertainment, business, education, fashion, food industry, health,
local politics, LGBT advocacy, etc. We are widely republished by content
partners in the Philippines, New York and California. It has won community journalism awards.
It was featured in Voice of America as “bridging” Filipinos
in New
York with their motherland during the powerful storm wrought
byTyphoon Haiyan.
THE FILAM is among the publications currently featured until January 2015 at
an interactive exhibit on
100 of the most influential ethnic media publications in the U.S. The exhibit, "One Nation with News for
All," was organized by the Smithsonian Institution at the Newseum in Washington D.C.
Where your support will go?
Our target amount is $5K to support at least 3 to 4 years of
continued investigative reporting at four articles a year. We believe the
amount is not nearly enough but fair to begin with. The reporter will
receive a stipend of anywhere from $300 to $400 per completed report. Hopefully, it will support the reporters’ gas
money, some meals with sources, batteries, photocopying documents and other
expenses Depending on the area of research,
we hope to keep expenses within a reasonable level.
Why your support is important
Because of lack of resources, some in the ethnic
media shy away from investigative reporting. It takes a lot of time and resources,
which community newspapers do not always have. As a publication owned by a
working journalist, THE FILAM would like to initiate Investigative Reporting
because of a need to bring heightened discussion of community issues. The reports will spotlight specific community concerns (eg.
immigration, employment opportunities, health problems, generational conflicts)
and examine some issues and possible solutions. I hope that our reporting in the past three
years as a continuous online publication shows that THE FILAM has done something different and that you will support this
plan to report stories with more depth and analysis.
How else you can help
I understand that some of you may not be able to contribute,
You may be able to help out in other ways by spreading the word about our
campaign and sharing the link with your network. For those with a burning story
to share and believe it needs to be told, please send a short pitch to TheFilAmNY@gmail.com.