My journey with local journalism.

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A message from board member Jeff Galak on how he came to support PublicSource's local journalism.

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Dear Reader,

If you’re like me, there’s a good chance you won’t read the entirety of this email. I get it. We’re all busy and the last thing you want to hear is how some other organization is asking for your financial support. But I hope I can convince you to read on just a bit more, because PublicSource isn’t just some other organization.

When the pandemic hit, my way of coping was to consume as much information as possible. I read every CDC release and national news story about what was happening, but I lacked a good understanding of what was happening here, in Pittsburgh, my adoptive home. This was before every major news outlet had a county-level COVID-19 tracker. We lived in a local news vacuum about how COVID-19 was unfolding in our backyards. So, like many of you, I turned to Google, which quickly led me to PublicSource.

At the time, I had no idea what PublicSource was, but what I could immediately tell was that they cared about reporting on what was developing here in Pittsburgh. I was quickly drawn to the amazing reporting on issues that I was either already passionate about understanding, or learned, through PublicSource reporting, that I should be passionate about understanding. I read stories by Juliette Rihl about the difficulties of life for women and racial minorities in the Allegheny County Jails. I read stories by Naomi Harris about the evolving landscape in higher education. I read stories by Oliver Morrison about the environmental challenges that our region faces. I was captivated by the way that important stories could be told in writing, supported by rich visuals, and even in an engaging podcast! And in uncovering all of this, I came to realize how critical high quality, well researched, fact-checked local journalism is.

PublicSource provides our region with something we sorely need: accountability over those in power. News has, in many places, devolved into stories that get you to click or retweet. Polarization in the media has led us to favor news that supports whatever positions we already hold. The motive of PublicSource isn’t profit; it’s high-quality journalism that exposes the power structures around us for whatever they are. Without the hard work of local journalists, we will be left to the devices of those in power. Some of those in power will be virtuous and do what is best for our community, but some will not. And without PublicSource and the in-depth reporting that they do, we’ll never know who is who.

If you’ve stuck with me this long, then you hopefully see why I have chosen to devote a considerable amount of my free time, with no compensation, to serve on the Board of PublicSource as of April. I believe in the mission. I believe in the people. And I believe that you, the reader, agree with me.

To that end, if you’d like to see the amazing work of PublicSource continue and expand, please make a gift of any amount today. All gifts are matched until June 30, so your gift goes twice as far. We’re also offering an exclusive gift ([link removed]) for those who give $30 or more, or who start a new recurring gift. Please make the most of this special opportunity to support this remarkable organization.

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Yes, please DOUBLE my gift to support local journalism. ([link removed])
Thank you,

Jeff Galak
PublicSource Board of Directors
Jeff smiles at the camera in front of a city background wearing a light colored collared shirt.


** To be removed from fundraising messages, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Remove%20from%20fundraising) .
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Checks can be made out to PublicSource and mailed to 1936 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15219.

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