Rieder: At 79, launching a digital news start-up

Gregory Favre learned early that transformational change in journalism was a fact of life.

When he was 8 years old, it was his mission to fold the newspapers at the paper his dad owned in Bay St. Louis, Miss. And, according to Favre, no one ever folded newspapers better.

When he was 10, his dad bought a machine to take over the folding. Young Gregory was distraught. Then he had a revelation: The skills that made him the best folder also made him the best machine operator.

"Change is inevitable," Favre says. "You have to embrace change."

And so he has. Long a distinguished figure in print journalism, Favre is launching a digital news operation to cover California government. At age 79.

With backing from donors concerned about the decline in reporting on statehouse news, Favre is setting up the non-partisan, non-profit CALmatters. Favre, a former executive editor of the Sacramento Bee and vice president for news of McClatchy Newspapers, is interviewing potential hires now. He hopes to publish CALmatters' first story in late May or early June, when the venture's extensive database will also debut.

The news outlet will focus on longform explanatory journalism whose aim is to help Californians better understand the machinations of the Golden State's politics and government.

"We've got to get people more engaged with what is happening in Sacramento," he says.

And on a personal level, Favre, who was a distinguished fellow for journalism values at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., after leaving McClatchy, can't wait to get back into the game.

"It's exciting for me," he says. "It's an opportunity to get back to doing what I love."

The sharp and steady decline in coverage of the nation's statehouses has been a disturbing development for democracy. When I was editor of American Journalism Review, we did a number of detailed tallies of all of reporters covering state capitols. Each was more discouraging than its predecessor. And the most recent comprehensive survey, by the Pew Research Center, found California's roster of statehouse reporters had declined by more than 35% over a decade. CALmatters is a direct response to that alarming fact.

Favre, a former president of the American Society of News Editors, says that when it comes to state government, "a good many topics are essentially unknown" to many Californians. CALmatters will endeavor to enlighten them about "how state government works and why it matters."

The plan is to have five editorial staffers on board for the launch, seven by the end of the year and 11 by the end of 2017. And they will be reporters, not editors, says Favre, whose goal is to get "people on the street."

CALmatters will post articles on its own website, but it also aims to team up with existing news organizations on individual projects. Favre says some partnership talks are underway but isn't ready to disclose with whom. The budding news outlet wants to showcase its material on all platforms.

The benefactors have amassed $2.5 million so far, and the goal is $5 million to cover three years of operations. Favre says all the largesse so far has come from individual donors, and a complete list will be posted.

When I recently visited the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, I learned that Favre had had a deep influence on editors who have worked for him. Three ASU professors who had been top editors at top papers — Peter Bhatia (Portland's Oregonian), Rick Rodriguez (the Sacramento Bee) and Tim McGuire (Minneapolis Star Tribune) — regard Favre as a mentor.

So what makes Favre so special? I asked Bhatia. "Gregory is a unique combination of superb journalist and caring, compassionate individual," Bhatia replied. "His values permeated a generation of leaders behind him and spread to countless newsrooms.

Yes, to answer your question, he is related to the noted quarterback Brett — they are very distant cousins.

And Favre the journalist is clearly savoring his latest career move. "I've always," he says, "been very passionate about this business."