Former Freep journalist goes independent with Motor City Muckraker

A former investigative reporter for the Detroit Free Press has gone off the traditional media reservation and started an independent webzine, Motor City Muckraker.

Steve Neavling worked for the Free Press for six years as a journalist, covering the Detroit City Hall before parting ways with the newspaper earlier this year. He launched Motor City Muckraker this spring from his Midtown home with a team of two people and a handful of volunteers. Neavling wants to tell the stories of regular people in the city and how the decisions of the city leaders impact them.

"Too often the traditional media neglects to the tell the story of everyday Detroiters and how policy impacts them," Neavling says. He adds that his publication has an advantage because he and his team live, breathe and enjoy being in the city while other news outlets and reporters have more of a suburban view.

"The only way to do that is to live in the city of Detroit and tell the stories of the people who live here," Neavling says. "Sort of like giving a voice to the voiceless."

Source: Steve Neavling, reporter, editor and founder of Motor City Muckraker
Writer: Jon Zemke

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