The Markup

The Markup
Name	The Markup
Type	Nonprofit newsroom
Foundation	0 2018
Founders	Julia Angwin, Jeff Larson, Sue Gardner
Headquarters	New York City, New York, U.S.
Key people	Julia Angwin (Editor-in-Chief)
Industry	Journalism, Investigative journalism
Website	https://themarkup.org

The Markup. The Markup is a nonprofit investigative newsroom focused on the societal impacts of technology. Founded by veteran journalists, it employs data-driven reporting and scientific methodology to scrutinize the practices of Big Tech companies and digital platforms. Its work aims to hold powerful institutions accountable and inform public policy debates surrounding artificial intelligence, algorithmic bias, and data privacy.

History and founding

The organization was established in 2018 by Julia Angwin, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and ProPublica, along with data scientist Jeff Larson and former Wikimedia Foundation executive Sue Gardner. The founding team announced the initiative with backing from prominent philanthropic organizations, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Initial plans for a membership model were later revised, and the newsroom officially launched its website in January 2020, publishing its first major investigation shortly thereafter. The founding principles were heavily influenced by Angwin's prior work at ProPublica, which emphasized in-depth, accountability journalism, and sought to apply similar rigorous standards to the technology sector.

Mission and editorial approach

The core mission is to investigate how powerful institutions use technology to influence society, with a specific emphasis on transparency and equity. Its editorial approach is characterized by a "scientific mindset," often involving original data collection, statistical analysis, and the publication of methodologies to allow for replication and scrutiny. Reporters and data scientists collaborate on projects, utilizing techniques like crowdsourcing and audit studies to test algorithms and platform behaviors. This methodology is designed to move beyond anecdotal evidence and provide empirical proof of systemic issues within systems operated by companies like Facebook and Google.

Notable investigations and impact

The newsroom has produced several high-impact investigations that have prompted regulatory and corporate responses. A landmark series, "The Facebook Political Ad Collector," provided evidence of microtargeting and gaps in the platform's political ad archive, influencing discussions at the Federal Election Commission. Another investigation, "Amazon's Best-Sellers List Was Riddled With Fake 5-Star Reviews," used data analysis to demonstrate fraudulent review patterns, leading to increased scrutiny from the United States Senate. Its "Citizen Browser" project, a panel study tracking algorithmic personalization on Facebook, revealed discriminatory ad delivery and was cited in lawsuits and by lawmakers, including members of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Business model and funding

As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates primarily on philanthropic grants and donations from individuals and foundations. Major funders have included the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. It does not accept advertising from corporations it investigates and maintains a strict editorial independence policy regarding its funders. Revenue is also supplemented by licensing its content to other media outlets, such as The New York Times and NBC News, and through small-donor contributions. This model is common among other nonprofit news entities like The Texas Tribune and The Center for Public Integrity.

Awards and recognition

The organization's work has been recognized with several prestigious journalism awards. It received the Gerald Loeb Award for its investigation into pandemic-related algorithmic bias in grading software. It has also been honored with multiple Sigma Awards for data journalism and a National Press Foundation award. Individual staff members, including Julia Angwin, have been named as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for earlier work, and the newsroom's reporting is frequently cited in academic research and congressional hearings. Collaborations with partners like The Guardian and Consumer Reports have expanded the reach and impact of its findings.

Criticism and controversies

Some criticism has focused on the technical methodologies of its audits, with debates arising within the academic and tech communities about the interpretation of data and the design of experiments. Early in its development, the newsroom faced internal challenges regarding workplace culture and management direction, leading to the departure of several staff members and public commentary in outlets like Nieman Journalism Lab. Furthermore, subjects of its investigations, including representatives from Amazon and Meta Platforms, have disputed specific findings, arguing that the analyses oversimplify complex technical systems. These disputes are part of ongoing tensions between investigative journalists and the Silicon Valley entities they cover.

Category:American news websites Category:Investigative journalism organizations Category:Nonprofit organizations based in New York City Category:Organizations established in 2018