The Philadelphia Media Network will begin a collaboration with Temple’s Center for Public Interest Journalism in an effort to provide in-depth reporting on Philadelphia’s mayoral race this year.

Stan Wischnowski, vice president of news operations at the Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com, said in an email on Tuesday that “‘The Next Mayor’ project will provide voters with critical, timely content on mayoral candidates and the major issues facing Philadelphia.”

Wischnowski added that the project is being funded by a $350,000 grant by the Wyncote Foundation, which issues grants in many different fields, including arts & culture, education, the environment, health & human services, preservation and public media & journalism, according to its website.

Other outlets that will be involved in the project include WHYY/Newsworks, Young Involved Philly and The Committee of Seventy, Wischnowski said.

He said he hopes that “The Next Mayor” is the start of further collaborations between media outlets.

“We hope ‘The Next Mayor’ project will pave the way for other initiatives that similarly support innovative news practices, while retaining our journalistic mission and integrity,” Wischnowski said.
Steve Bohnel can be reached at steven.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.