 The only media outlet dedicated to the Washington DC – Baltimore region’s Muslim community held its annual fundraising event on March 27, 2010, with over 600 supporters attending.
Titled “Operation Blackout: Truth Needs a Voice”, the Muslim Link newspaper continued a five-year tradition of inviting unique, outspoken activists in Iraq war veteran turned anti-war activist Michael Prysner.
Speakers from previous years included journalist Yvonne Ridley, British MP George Galloway, and prize winning author Dahr Jamail.
The non-profit newspaper runs on advertising revenue combined with donations. Over 50% of its operating income comes from donations.
“Media is not profitable anymore, and the largest news media outlets are losing money but they continue to run because the power of influence is priceless,” said editor Minhaj Hasan.
The evening program at Silver Spring, Maryland’s Montgomery Blair High School included an address by Dr. Daoud Nassimi on the importance of community bonds, a video presentation, and a year-in-review by the editor.
Attendees donated $55,000 in cash and pledges by the program’s end; an additional $6,000 came in after the program. The fundraising goal was set at $100,000.
Hasan said the $100,000 is needed in addition to advertising income just to meet the “bare bones operations of the paper”. Having cut half of its full-time staff in 2008, the paper has no full-time reporters and relies on volunteers and freelance reporters to cover events.
“We get calls from area organizations, Muslim and non-Muslim, to cover their events or attend special briefings, but we can only do so much with freelance reporters since they have other priorities. We love our freelancers, but our community really needs full-time coverage,” explained Hasan. “I cover as much as I can, but on any given weekend there are three or four events going on at the same time.”
The newspaper will continue pushing for donations throughout the year to meet its $100,000 goal, and is thinking of new ways to attract advertisers. Hasan said the online advertising revenue is picking up.
“We are grateful to Allah for the support of our readers. Most of our donations come from middle income readers and are smaller amounts. We appreciate all the donations and ask Allah to increase all of these good deeds for everyone who came out and everyone who gave or wanted to give,” said the editor.
“We don’t intend to stop the press, and we have confidence in Allah first, and then in our readers.”
To donate online, visit muslimlinkpaper.com. To send a donation by mail, make checks payable to “the Muslim Link” and mail to: The Muslim Link, Attn: Fundraising, 5301 Edgewood Road, College Park MD 20740.
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excellent article. ...
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