THE CITY serves the people of New York through independent journalism that holds the powerful to , deepens democratic participation and helps make sense of the greatest city in the world.
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Our Approach
We believe all New Yorkers have a right to trusted, free journalism that s participation in civic life, fosters better governance and encourages just, equitable outcomes in a thriving city.
There are other outlets that serve up the daily drumbeat of crime stories and City Hall press releases. There are plenty of stories about the wealthiest zip codes, and it’s not hard to find partisan coverage of local issues playing to a national audience. We believe New York City deserves better.
At THE CITY we are dedicated to rigorous ability reporting with a focus on systemic issues, the real-world impact of policy choices and the conduct of those who exercise power.
But we don’t just reveal wrongdoing. We want everyone to be empowered by our journalism. That’s why we invest in reporting that is actively helpful, offering both plain-language guides and data-driven apps that make it easier to vote, access public services or just make sense of complex issues.
And we listen, asking communities online and in person to guide our journalism, flag concerns, give us and share ideas.
Our Impact
We want our journalism to result in better outcomes for the people of New York.
That means wrongdoing is called out and halted, that better policies are implemented and that resources are more effectively and fairly allocated. THE CITY’s investigative reporting has resulted in criminal indictments, political resignations and ethics inquiries. It has inspired new laws, influenced budget choices and reversed injustices.
Equitable access to trusted journalism also means that the public conversation is better informed and more reflective of the experiences of all who live here — and that leads to government officials being more responsive to their constituents. THE CITY’s stories are republished for free by hundreds of community outlets, followed by other media outlets and consistently cited by elected officials, advocates and local leaders.
Finally, our work aims to help individual readers to make good decisions and feel connected to their neighborhoods and New York. THE CITY’s Read more about our impact.
Our Team
THE CITY’s reporters and editors know New York City and are committed to its future. They bring knowledge, ion and a deeply diverse range of experiences to the task of covering our shared home.
Subject matter experts provide deeply informed coverage of crucial beats like housing, criminal justice, labor, migration, climate change, the economy and City Hall in collaboration with neighborhood specialists, data reporters and investigative journalists.
Our team includes veterans from New York’s storied tabloids and reporters from national and hyper-local publications alike. They bring a wide-range of experience and a ion for innovation to the task of covering New York in journalism’s fast-changing landscape. Read more about board of directors here.
Our Funding
Quality journalism is expensive — and digital advertising just isn’t lucrative enough to pay for it. And because we want our reporting to be accessible to everyone, we will never have a paywall. Instead, THE CITY is ed by our readers, individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors. Their giving enables us to bring the highest standards to covering New York City. We are proud of our donors and grateful for their willingness to fund our work with no expectation of influencing our coverage. access financial reports here.