University of Memphis receives grant to create new journalism program

The University of Memphis’ Institute for Public Service Reporting has received a grant from the Scripps Howard Fund and the Adam R. Scripps Foundation to create a new graduate program in the emerging field of open-source investigative reporting. The program will fill the gaps in the current and future generations of investigative journalism that have emerged with the decline of the availability of traditional journalists. The program will start in the Fall 2025 semester.

According to an article on the University of Memphis website, Marc Perrusquia, who serves as the director of The Institute for Public Service Reporting, is quoted as saying of the grant and the effects it will have, “This grant positions the Institute for Public Service Reporting to expand our award-winning journalism and, just as critically, to sharpen our focus on our mission of mentoring the next generation of journalists. Our new Open-Source Investigative Reporting Program adds another dimension to the institute’s Otis L. Sanford Journalist Incubator, which already features a paid internship program for UofM students, operates Civil Wrongs, our documentary-style podcast and academic course exploring racial injustice and teaches introductory journalism to middle and high school students. We are so thankful to Scripps for creating this opportunity for us and the UofM’s journalism department.”

Open-source investigative reporting is the act of utilizing publicly available items and documents on the internet, such as databases, videos, social media, and images, to investigate. The program will teach current journalists how to use the information they find online effectively to investigate stories and how to find the information in the first place. The program seeks to teach these things academically, as anyone who is currently utilizing these tactics of investigation are likely self-taught.

Matt Haught, chair of the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, said, “Mixing Marc and his team at the Institute with our graduate program is a recipe for success. This program will have a lasting effect on investigative journalism across the country and will position our students as tomorrow’s leaders in the field.”

According to the website for the Scripps Howard Fund, the organization “strives to create informed and engaged communities through journalism education, childhood literacy and local causes.” It gave nearly $9 million in gifts throughout 2023 in the name of this pursuit.

The funding provided to the University of Memphis totals $300,000 that will be given over the course of four years to be used in the creation of the open-source investigative reporting program.

For more information about the University of Memphis, visit the school’s website.