| VTDigger | |
| Type: | Daily digital news outlet |
| Format: | Digital |
| Political: | non-partisan |
| Owners: | Vermont Journalism Trust, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization |
| Founder: | Anne Galloway |
| Publisher: | Sky Barsch (CEO) |
| Chiefeditor: | Paul Heintz |
| Circulation: | 650,000 |
| Circulation Date: | 2024 |
| Headquarters: | PO Box 1374, Montpelier, VT 05601 |
VTDigger is an investigative online newspaper that reports on the state of Vermont in the United States.[1] Founded in September 2009 by Anne Galloway, the newspaper has grown to have an average monthly audience of 650,000 [2] and won numerous awards for its coverage of matters of statewide significance, including the flooding in July 2023.[3]
The digital news outlet is funded primarily through donations and philanthropy ($2.2 million in 2022), [4] as well as through underwriting (business support).
The VTDigger was founded in September 2009 by Anne Galloway, with a focus on the politics, economy, environment, education, culture, and public policy of Vermont.
In 2010, VTDigger merged with the nonprofit Vermont Journalism Trust. As part of the Trust, a substantial portion of support comes from the general public, foundations and businesses, including sponsors, gifts, and organization membership.[5]
During her tenure as executive director, Anne Galloway was nominated for the "Vermonter of the Year Award" by The Burlington Free Press in 2016.[6] In 2018, she reported total compensation of $64,519 from VTDigger.[7] In May 2022, Galloway stepped down and assumed the role of editor-at-large.[8]
The newspaper receives support from the American Journalism Project.[9]
The New York Times commended VTDigger for building strong social trust which has helped Vermont meet the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic with relative success.[10]
Mark Shanahan wrote a feature about VTDigger as a model news organization for the front page of the Boston Globe.
Local Independent Online News Publishers awareded VTDigger as the co-winner for the 2023 Public Service Award (Large Revenue Tier).[11]
The Institute for Nonprofit News and the Single Subject News Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy published a case study about VTDigger titled "VTDigger: A Rising Star in Nonprofit News," which details the birth and rise of VTDigger and the role of Anne Galloway in this effort. In May 2018, according to the Institute for Nonprofit News, the VTDigger was averaging 300,000 monthly users with "a staff of 19 full-time employees, and an annual budget over $1.5 million".
VTDigger is often referenced in the Burlington Free Press for breaking stories, such as the report of the testimony of a former Burlington College trustee before a federal grand jury about the involvement of Senator Bernie Sanders' wife, Dr. Jane Sanders, in the sale of property while she was president of Burlington College. The Burlington Free Press credited VTDigger for breaking the news of the testimony.[12] VTDigger's coverage was also picked up in newspapers across the country.[13]
A 2010 Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU's attempt to get information from a Vermont town about an alleged racial profiling incident suggests that accepting the help of the ACLU to investigate the incident may have placed the VTDigger in a conflict of interest with journalistic objectivity.[14] The relationship between the VTDigger and ACLU on this case is mentioned again in a Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU's request to the VT Supreme Court to release the documents related to the incident.[15]