The Washington Spectator is an independent, progressive and reader-supported journal of politics and the arts published each month in print, and updated daily online at washingtonspectator.org.
Founded in 1974 by veteran Capitol Hill reporter and Vietnam War critic Tristram Coffin, the Spectator delivers a unique blend of sharp-edged investigative reporting, informed social and political commentary, and cultural criticism and essays on topics ranging from popular cinema to the new women’s movement, to the recent advances in artificial intelligence.
No institution in our society is more central to the function and survival of our democratic system than the press. Editor and Publisher Hamilton Fish summarizes the Washington Spectator’s mission this way:
“In an era where one-half the mainstream media is obsessed by celebrity and the other is distracted by digital metrics, there’s a desperate need for the small, fearless, independent outlet that holds public and private elites accountable, advances reform, and helps to insure the continuing vitality of the democratic process. Our readers are discerning, and we try to provide them with regular access to fine writing, authoritative reporting and informed progressive opinion.”
Senior political writer Lou Dubose — co-author of The Hammer (the book that indicted Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay) — has filed stories from Guantanamo, Alaska, Mexico City, Christmas in Detroit, Washington State’s Lummi Nation, and the Mississippi Delta.
The ranks of the Spectator’s world-renowned journalists, scholars, and activists include renegade writer William T. Vollmann on poverty in America; Belén Fernández on contrasting US responses to protests in Honduras and Iran; the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Cay Johnston on winners and losers in our post-industrial economy; Canadian technology critic Katharine Dempsey on the social implications of the coming artificial intelligence boom; Spain’s Ortega y Gasset Prize winner Judith Torrea on the narco wars in Ciudad Juaréz; climate change activist legend Bill McKibben on the campaign to end our addiction to fossil fuels; lawyer-journalist Scott Horton truth-testing CIA lawyer John Rizzo’s auto-hagiography; and Rev. William Barber describing the fierce urgency of the modern civil rights movement.
The Spectator relies on the generous contributions of our readers to support these essential voices. Please consider purchasing a print subscription, following us on Facebook and Twitter, or making a financial contribution.
Editorial Policy, Fundraising and Best Practices
The Washington Spectator is a project of the Public Concern Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation created in 1977 and registered in Washington, D.C. The Washington Spectator is a leading independent, reader-supported bulletin of reporting and commentary on news and public affairs.
In order to provide our publication to the widest possible readership, we rely on the generosity of our readers and members who believe in our mission. Our non-profit corporation is designated by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity, and donations to it are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
As an independent publication, The Washington Spectator maintains full authority over its editorial content, to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between editorial decision-making and all sources of revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of our donors, their opinions or their editorial perspectives.
Mindful of the trust our readers place in our publication, we base our work on research, evidence and the core ideals of journalism. Our aim at all times is to be truthful and accountable, and to follow strict reporting standards. We strive to be inclusive in all aspects of our enterprise, and our content reflects a diversity of voices and perspectives. We are guided by best practices, we disclose potential conflicts and admit our mistakes.
We accept donations, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our editorial judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.
While we also may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will not agree to any influence over our editorial content, nor cede any right of review.
Our organization will make public the names of all donors who give $5,000 or more. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place such that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization.
Funds raised for the Public Concern Foundation, Inc. and The Washington Spectator go to support the operations of both the organization’s news site at washingtonspectator.org, and its print edition (which has suspended publication during Covid).
Per our fundraising policy, we are open to all contributions of cash, non-cash and in-kind donations, bequests and other such estate-related contributions, from individuals and institutions who support our vision, mission and values. Donations are acknowledged in writing. We do not disclose any information about our donors other than the names of persons or groups who give more than $5,000 within a year.
As a nonprofit journalistic enterprise, we avoid accepting substantial charitable donations from government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations from sources who, as deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.
We produce and host public events on issues of public concern, such as panel discussions and interviews on social and political issues covered on our pages.
In our solicitations to foundations, multi-year support will be sought and encouraged. These efforts are intended to secure support for ongoing operations or special projects that are aligned with the donor’s criteria for giving.
All fundraising efforts are reviewed annually by the board of directors of The Public Concern Foundation, Inc.
A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty St., New York, NY 10005. Information on charitable organizations is also available at the New York State Office of the Attorney General at charitiesnys.com or 212-416-8401.
