Greetings from the USNI News Virginia bureau, completely contained in a converted laundry room off my kitchen.
Like other news organizations that cover the Pentagon, our team has been working remotely to minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus so we can keep reporting the news that’s essential to our readers.
The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are critically important not only to the day-to-day national security of the United States but also the American response to the pandemic that is changing how we live.
We know that this coverage is important to you. You stepped up and made a contribution late last year during our USNI News banner campaign and for that we are grateful. In these times where others are furloughing staff and putting out fewer stories generated by their organizations, we have ramped up coverage, outreach, and the fact-based, non-partisan news you have come to trust and rely on.
In March, Military Times furloughed all but a handful of their staff. Most of the reporters responsible for producing the Navy Times and Marine Corps Times have been put on the shelf during the largest national security crisis since the 2001 terror attacks.
We have generated more web traffic in the last six months than the previous two years. The stories you want outline basic information that’s been difficult to find for military members and their families.
At the same time, we’ve kept an eye on the growing tensions in the Western Pacific and the Middle East growth of Chinese and Russian military influence.
We’re working hard but the same financial strain that’s hurt the wider economy is affecting the ability of military journalists to do our job. Unfortunately our increased traffic does not automatically translate to financial support. USNI News is a free, non-profit service that relies heavily on donor contributions so that we can maintain our independence and non-partisanship.
During this extraordinary time, we ask that you consider making a tax deductible gift to support your USNI News team in order to keep us working at full strength to fulfill the Naval Institute’s commitment to honest, timely journalism during this time of national security turmoil. No matter the size of gift, we ask that you show your support for our efforts.
With all that is going on in the world right now, we are even more thankful for your support,
-Sam LaGrone
Editor, USNI News
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