The Story Behind the Story - When you stop feeding the beast and focus on integrity, transparency and impact

What happens when the foundation of journalism shifts from chasing revenue to chasing impact? In this episode of Matters of Consequence, host Michael Hanf speaks with David Myers, a journalist with over two decades of experience in for-profit political media. After launching The Fulcrum, a nonprofit platform focused on democracy reform, David joined OpenSecrets, where he now leads media and communications to expose the role of money in U.S. politics.The episode explores the tension between profit and purpose, the systemic challenges of a media landscape in crisis, and the quiet work of building transparency in a system shaped by ad dollars and dark money. David shares the raw realities of his journey: the emotional weight of walking away from a revenue-driven model, the cost of integrity, and the unresolved questions of how journalism can serve democracy in an era of collapsing local news and rising misinformation.Why listen?Hear the realities of transitioning from for-profit to nonprofit journalism, from the first doubts to the decision to act.Explore the systemic gaps in media, the cost of maintaining transparency, and the questions we’re not asking about the future of journalism.Understand the emotional toll of challenging the status quo, including the struggle to balance impact with sustainability.Discover moments of hope and the potential of nonprofit journalism to redefine how we hold power to account.Gain insights into how to support a media landscape that prioritizes democracy over profits.This episode is a must-listen for journalists, media professionals, policymakers, or anyone who cares about the intersection of transparency, integrity, and the future of democracy. Whether you’re exploring the ethics of journalism, working in media, or simply want to understand the human side of systemic challenges, David’s story will leave you with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the unseen work that shapes our world.Keywords: Journalism, nonprofit media, OpenSecrets, The Fulcrum, money in politics, transparency in media, future of journalism, ad-driven media, dark money, media ethics, integrity in journalism, systemic challenges in media, democracy and media, media funding, nonprofit journalism, holding power to account, media accountability, journalism and democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.