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What is CivicWire and why should I support it?
CivicWire is a platform designed to aggregate and streamline the flow of official information from agencies across the world. By supporting CivicWire, you contribute to making news more transparent and easily accessible for both journalists and the public, fostering an informed and engaged society.
What is the problem that CivicWire aims to solve?
The landscape of news distribution is fragmented. Government agencies and public information officers (PIOs) distribute information across various platforms, including social media, email, closed messaging groups, and their own websites. It’s easy for crucial information to get lost, overlooked or delayed. CivicWire aims to solve this by providing a centralized platform for all this information.
How is CivicWire different from other news sources or social media platforms?
CivicWire doesn’t editorialize the news. It provides direct and unedited access to information and content from the original source. This same information is then used by journalists for their news reports. And unlike social media platforms, CivicWire is strictly news, so there’s no clutter.
Is CivicWire trying to replace a social media platform?
No. On the contrary, CivicWire will provide tools to allow agencies to cross-post to multiple social media platforms at the same time.
How do Twitter alternatives (Bluesky, Mastodon, Spoutible, Post, etc) benefit from CivicWire?
One reason why Twitter is hard to replace is because government agencies often use it to provide news updates. Those sources are reluctant to join alternatives because their reach is much smaller, but the lack of this official content also makes it difficult for alternatives to grow. CivicWire will encourage agencies to cross-post to multiple platforms at the same time.
Will CivicWire have advertisements?
No, CivicWire will be completely ad-free!
Will CivicWire be free?
We don’t believe in paywalls. Everyone should have the right and ability to access critical information. That’s why the basic features of CivicWire are completely free. We plan to offer some premium features at a reasonable cost.
Where will CivicWire be available?
CivicWire will be accessible from anywhere in the world as soon as we launch, but we plan to limit the number of eligible agencies for a gradual rollout. Otherwise, users might join our platform before the agencies in their area have done so, leaving them with empty news feeds.
We plan to launch a BETA version in parts of the United States by the end of this year, followed by a rollout across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa in 2024. Eventually, CivicWire will be available across the world.
That said, you’ll be able to join CivicWire at any time, even if your location is not yet included in our coverage area.
Who is behind the CivicWire project?
CivicWire is being created by a small, international team led by Michael van Poppel, the founder of BNO News, a news organization, and Twitter’s @BreakingNews, which was acquired by NBC News at the start of 2010. The team is comprised of experienced journalists and tech professionals who are committed to making a positive change in the news environment.
How will the funds raised in this campaign be used?
The funds raised will be used to further develop and maintain the CivicWire platform (including mobile apps), build partnerships with agencies, and promote the platform to reach a wider audience.
What will happen if the campaign doesn’t reach its funding goal?
If we don’t reach our funding goal, we’ll reassess our approach and resources. Depending on the amount raised, we may have to scale back initial features or rollout timelines, but we’re committed to launching CivicWire regardless.
What happens if the campaign exceeds its funding goal?
If the campaign exceeds its funding goal, the additional funds will be used to accelerate the development and rollout of CivicWire and add features more quickly.
Are there any risks or challenges associated with this project?
As with any ambitious project, there are risks and challenges. These include technological hiccups, scaling issues, and ensuring a wide range of agencies participate. However, we’re confident in our team’s ability to navigate these challenges.
How can I contribute to the CivicWire campaign?
You can contribute by donating on our crowdfunding page. There are several donation tiers with associated perks. Your contribution, no matter how small, will help make this project a reality.
Besides donating, how else can I support CivicWire?
You can support CivicWire by spreading the word about our campaign to your network, following us on social media, and providing feedback on our ideas and plans.
When and how will I receive my reward for contributing?
Rewards will be provided when CivicWire launches, at which time you’ll receive an email with instructions.
Can I change my contribution level after I’ve already donated?
Yes, but this is not possible through our website. Please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
How can I stay updated on the progress of the CivicWire project?
You can stay updated on CivicWire by subscribing to our email updates and following our social media channels. We’ll be sharing regular updates and milestones throughout the campaign and beyond.
I represent an agency. How do I sign up?
You can send an email to [email protected], using your official email address. Please include information about the agency or agencies you represent. We’ll add you to our waiting list and we’ll reach out in the weeks before our launch.
I represent a foundation/charity or other organization. I want to help!
Please reach out to us at [email protected].