Journalism/Technology Innovators

Abstract

1st Place: Larry Platt and Ajay Raju, The Philadelphia Citizen. The Philadelphia Citizen is a nonprofit, non- partisan media organization that has a dual mission: to provide deeply reported journalism that emphasizes solutions that can move our region forward, and to actively reignite citizenship in and around Philadelphia. We seek to identify our innovators, call out those who stand in the way of progress and shine a light on the next generation of Philly leadership—all while giving Philadelphians the interactive tools they need to become more involved, engaged citizens. Philadelphia doesn’t just need another news organization. It needs journalism that focuses on solutions that, together, we can help bring to fruition. It needs a movement of citizens who refuse to outsource leadership to a political class long characterized by an insidious transactional culture. Larry and Ajay saw innovation between journalism and citizen engagement and are defining journalism for the future, commenting, “Receiving a Social Innovations Award validates The Citizen's theory of change: That Philadelphia needs a new narrative informed by solutions- based reporting and calls for constructive civic action. Because citizenship is not a spectator sport.”