Mission

J-Lab is an incubator for innovative news experiments that use new technologies to help people actively engage in critical public issues. Its core mission is to improve public life by transforming journalism for today and re-inventing it for tomorrow.

About J-Lab

J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism helps news organizations and citizens use new information ideas and innovative computer technologies to develop new ways for people to engage in critical public policy issues.

It spotlights dynamic news experiences and helps to develop interactive news ideas that not only educate people about public affairs but also invite their participation.

It rewards cutting-edge innovations through the Knight-Batten Award for Innovations in Journalism funded by the Knight Foundation. It funds pioneering hyperlocal citizens media ventures through its New Voices project.

J-Lab is a center of the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

Other J-Lab initiatives:

• New Voices, offering start-up grants to new citizen media projects.
• J-Learning, a how-to site for community publishing.
• Knight Citizen News Network, helping citizens and journalists amplify community news.