IRE offers support to journalists affected by industry layoffs

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) shares in the disappointment and sadness across our industry in the wake of recent layoffs at well-known traditional news outlets and in many smaller markets, which have received less attention but are just as devastating.

The cutbacks hurt journalism’s mission to inform the public. Yet, while fewer resources are disheartening, we cannot give up. There is a reason why the founders of the United States saw fit to include journalists in the First Amendment, and we at IRE are marshaling our resources and offering our strongest support to our colleagues, whose work is the very foundation of democracy.

From its beginnings in 1975, IRE has maintained a network of like-minded, fearless journalists who help each other in times of need, be it debugging a bit of code or finding a new job. And IRE members continue to do that today.

Here are some specific ways that IRE members can help today:

• IRE has a Support a Journalist program with funding available for current and former IRE professional and academic members whose memberships have expired (or are going to expire within the next 60 days) and are unable to renew due to layoffs, furloughs or job terminations. Those affected can apply to receive a free one-year membership renewal by filling out this form. 
• People who would like to help their colleagues can donate to the program here. Please put “Support a Journalist” in the line where it asks you to specify a fund.
• With IRE’s annual conference taking place in Anaheim, California, this year, the organization is exploring options to make the event even more affordable to those in need of assistance. Journalists can apply here for a fellowship for free registration and travel costs to the conference. We will be dedicating some fellowships to Los Angeles-area journalists affected by layoffs.
• The IRE Job Center has job listings available for all journalists to browse, regardless of whether or not you are a member.
• IRE has collected a wide variety of links for Career Growth and Care resources all in one place, including mental health support sources, a career guide for new freelancers and a list of fellowships, among others. This is also available to all journalists.
• Quick Hits, IRE’s biweekly newsletter, provides regular industry updates, including the latest news about conferences and webinars — including information about free events! — and deadlines for fellowships, scholarships and much more. All journalists are welcome to sign up for the newsletter. 

About IRE

Investigative Reporters and Editors is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative journalism. IRE was started in 1975 with the goal of providing a forum for journalists throughout the world to share story ideas, news sources and newsgathering and data analyzing techniques. Its first conference was in 1976. It continues to educate, empower and connect journalists today, now with three conferences annually: NICAR in the spring, IRE in the summer and AccessFest, an all-virtual conference in the fall designed to increase accessibility and affordability of IRE’s top-of-the-line training. Members also have access to workshops and webinars throughout the year, as well as thousands of tipsheets and other resources online. The IRE network is thriving, with members reaching out to each other regularly online to resolve individual technical and content issues. If you’re not yet a member, join IRE here.