Omidyar rethinks focus of online news venture

Washington (AFP) - Internet entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar is shifting the focus of his online news operation, saying he wants to "incubate" to improve journalism with new technology.

Omidyar, who created First Look Media last year, said his new go-slow approach will concentrate on two digital outlets -- The Intercept which launched with investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald, and a new "digital magazine with a satirical approach to American politics and culture" to be launched later this year, led by former Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi.

"Rather than building one big flagship website, we've concluded that we will have greater positive impact if we test more ideas and grow them based on what we learn," Omidyar said in a blog post on Monday.

"We are unwavering in our desire to reach a mass audience, but the best way to do that may be through multiple experiments with existing digital communities rather than trying to draw a large audience to yet another omnibus site."

Omidyar said the project is "entering a phase that demands we spend more time and resources focusing on technology and how it can enhance the impact of journalism."

He said the effort will have its hub in San Francisco, "where we'll create an opportunity for technologists to break new ground."

He added that First Look has test-launched "a small, invite-only pilot fellowship program offering grants to incubate experiments to people who share our commitment to harnessing the potential of technology and journalism to serve the greater good."

Omidyar has pledged to invest some $250 million in the project to "empower" journalists and help them "pursue the truth."

First Look Media was established as a non-profit journalism entity, and Omidyar also plans a for-profit company to develop new media technology.

"At First Look we're not trying to replicate or make incremental improvements to existing approaches," Omidyar said in his blog post.

"We're trying to create a healthy future for journalism by supporting ventures and practices that empower citizens in new ways. As a startup journalistic venture built on experimentation, I believe we need to take a humble approach to our work and embrace experimentation and disciplined, continuous learning."

Omidyar said his editorial team now includes 25 journalists, and he expects to double that number by the end of the year. But he also said this is a long-term project.

"I expect we'll be in this planning, startup and experimental mode for at least the next few years as we explore how to become integrated into people's lives in meaningful ways," he said.