• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Roundups
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
World of Tech

Tech-oriented investigation site the Markup raises more than $20 million

Avatar for Fazeel Ashraf Fazeel Ashraf September 24, 2018

Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark
An investigative nonprofit news organization called The Markup has raised more than $20 million in funding with the help of founder of Craigslist.

An investigative nonprofit news organization called The Markup has raised more than $20 million in funding, through the backing of some high profile donors. On top of this list is Craig Newmark, the founder of ad listing website Craigslist.
The Markup is the brainchild of Jeff Larson and Julia Angwin. Both Larson and Angwin made a name for themselves while working for the famous nonprofit news organization ProPublica.
Joining them as executive director is the former head of Wikimedia Foundation, Sue Garden.

During their time at ProPublica, Larson and Angwin had covered several headline grabbing news stories.

Some of these include how Facebook showed users ads based on their ethnicity, racial bias in criminal activity prediction algorithm used by US courts, cybersecurity flaws in President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort, and racial bias against minorities when they apply for car insurance.
Also Read: Lunewave acquires $5 million for its sensor technology
Given how much of the news the team covered tech-related investigations, the Markup seems to be in safe and capable hands.
The Markup is looking to hire 24 journalists for its New York office and is looking forward to an early launch in 2019.
Angwin said, in a statement, “I’m excited to build a team with deep expertise that can really scale up and advance the work Jeff and I began at ProPublica.”
She further added, “We see the Markup as a new kind of news organization, staffed with journalists who know how to investigate the uses of new technologies and make their effects understandable to non-experts.”
The team has acquired strong financial backing from the likes of the founder of Craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Craig Newmark, $2 million from John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (a non-profit that supports investigative journalism).
NewMark has delved into many philanthropic projects in the past. He donated half a million dollars to curb vandalism and harassment at Wikipedia.
The Craigslist founder has also pledged $1 million to the current team at ProPublica.

Also read: Facebook is using Artificial Intelligence to combat offensive content

Newmark commented that he felt proud to support the Markup because of his awareness of ProPublica’s work. He further added that since he himself is a news consumer, he believes in authentic and accurate journalism.
The Craigslist founder has full trust in The Markup’s journalistic capabilities, since it is based on data-driven, intensively fact-checked reporting.
The Markup will also be filling a gap by reporting on the effects of technology on society as a whole, a topic which is barely covered.
The news site has received further financial help from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (a non-profit that financially helps other NPOs) and the Ford Foundation (an NPO that believes in fair and equal opportunities for all).
The Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Initiative was the one who had first incubated the project.
Currently, there is not much debate happening about technology’s effect on society, and how it can shape policies and rules.
The reason behind this is that technology’s impact on this realm is still pretty controversial.
The Markup will resolve this issue, by covering topics that a non-technical person is able to comprehend and form their own opinions regarding the matter.

Related Tags: technology site The Markup

Related Stories

  • 5G and VR Adoption; What future awaits

    5G and VR Adoption; What future awaits

  • Google hit with 1.5 billion Euro fine by EU anti-trust commission

    Google hit with 1.5 billion Euro fine by EU anti-trust commission

  • From Tokyo summer games to high-tech Olympics 2020 Tokyo

    From Tokyo summer games to high-tech Olympics 2020 Tokyo

Avatar for Fazeel Ashraf

Fazeel Ashraf

Author @TechEngage

IT graduate from the National University of Science and Technology with a passion for writing. When not reading or writing, I can be found listening to rock and metal or playing some classic jams on my electric guitar. I’m also a big fan of horror movies.

Reader Interactions

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • Best car vacuum cleaners in 2021
  • Best rated top loading washing machines in 2021
  • 6 best car scratch removers on Amazon for 2021
  • Best iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro wallet cases for 2021
  • Best video game consoles to buy on Amazon in 2021
iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

Best iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro wallet cases for 2021

Best Office Desks On Amazon

Best office desks on Amazon for comfort in 2021

Pixel 2 XL home screen with Android

How to make your phone feel like stock Android (without root)

Woman working together

A business manager’s guide to remote working software

Footer

About Us

  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy & Practice
  • Contact us

Discover

  • About
  • Newsroom
  • Advertise
  • Brand Kit
  • Partners
  • Staff
  • Our Ethics
  • Publication Principles
  • Contact us

Legal Pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Cookies Policy
  • Comments Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version