Dave Maass

So, the idea is to get newsrooms to send books from their review piles to us so we can ship ‘em to Liberia. There, the books will be distributed for free to reporters, probably as prizes for journalistic achievement or as compensation for attending training seminars. Here’s the press release I wrote up:

Inline version of the text also after the jump.

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Great news: Semantics King Jr has filed the paperwork, payed the fees (thanks to y’all generosity) and received non-profit incorporation for NewLiberian.com in the state of Minnesota. We haven’t achieved tax-exempt status–that will take years–but through a partnership with the Niapele Project, we’re now able to accept tax-deductible contributions.

Now that we’ve reached this landmark, we’re hashing out where to take the site next. We’re long overdue for a design overhaul, we’re discussing a journalists’ book drive and we would love to raise some funds to compensate and recruit more local writers in Liberia, Ghana and Accra.

Hit us with your ideas.

Thanks to the quick credit cards of a few good family members, friends, and volunteers, NewLiberian.com collected the $209 it needs to incorporate as a non-profit organization in just a couple of days. I thought I was going to have to annoy the hell out of everyone on Facebook and instant messenger with my palm out. You met the goal before I had time to write the big, long History-of-New-Liberian post. You people rock.

Props and praise and pallets of gratitude to Journalists for Human Rights alums Gabby Kalaw, Jeff Topham (!!!) and Prue Clarke, College Times Editor Ed Baker, my dad (and Happy Fathers Day!) and Penelope Chester at the Niapele Project. I’d also like to thank Ben Peterson and Karen Palmer for trying their best. We’ll try to iron out that kink in the system by the next micro-fundraiser.

So, yes, what happens next? Semantics King Jr. and I are assembling the paperwork with the help of the Niapele Project. Once we’ve got that filed with the state of Minnesota, we’ll be able to accept grants, contributions and in-kind, all that good stuff. What will we do with those resources? Well, the sky’s the limit. We’ve been doing it for four years without really any funding. Finally we can make some major infrastructural improvements and help our team on the ground develop their skills and voices.

I’ll keep you updated. Thanks again, really.

Semantics King Jr. and I need to raise $209 to pay NewLiberian.com’s incorporation fees.

This is a big step towards becoming a formal news organization. The Niapele Project is advising us on the process and accepting tax-deductible donations on our behalf. I’ll have more information for you about NewLiberian.com’s history and future as I prepare for a Facebook campaign. (I’ve got more than 400 friends, so really, all I need is an average of 50 cents.)

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from donating now–just click on the widget’s “Chip In” button.

Obviously, there’s a question of conflict of interest when it comes to journalists soliciting money. For the record, I don’t think I’ll be able to see who these contributions are coming from. Well, it turns out I will be able to see who donated (so far just friends, family and old-school supporters). If any of my “sources” want to contribute, please do not send a contribution so large as to make me feel uncomfortable.

No shit, the president of Liberia sat down with John Stewart:

Here’s the email Semantics is sending ’round:

My good people,

Let me begin this email by commeding and appreciating you all for all your various individual support given me during my asylum process which took almost a year.

The Immigration Judge at the Immigration Court in Minnesota,Judge Kristin W. Olmanson granted me asylum yesterday,March 17 at 5:00PM Central time and said that “this young man is one of few asylum seekers that deserves asylum because these are the kinds of people that the United States needs.”

The proceedings that began at 1pm Central Time was witnessed by my Lawyer,Dan white and his boss Dan O’Fallon,my church pastor, Brad Fraslee and two other church memebrs,the Government lawyer,Lewis Dickson, and a Liberian Expert,Armeh Sirleaf who testified on my behalf.

When the Judge was making concluding statements that would pave way for her final decision, the government lawyer indicated that he would appeal if the woman Judge granted me asylum.

But after five Minutes of break,we returned and when the Judge began on the record recording,stating some asylum laws and referencing why she decided to grant me asylum, the government Lawyer withdrew his pending appeal.Therefore, the Judge granted me final asylum.

This means i have the right and or oportunity to live and work here in the United States indefinitely.

After one year(On March 17,2009)i can apply for permanent residence card and after five years,i can elect to become a U.S.Citizen.

During this week,we(my lawyer and i)were told to wait for a while so that my name and information can be stored and shared with data system of all federal and state agencies after which we can go for my work authorization card, an unrestricted Social Security card and other benefits for asylees.

I want to share this joy with you all because you individually helped me throughout this process.

I can’t find the exact words to express my gratitude to you,your loved ones and family members for all your financial,moral and physical support. Now i know i am in the United states and thanks so much for everything.

In the meantime, NewLiberian is about to start full scale operations and two new members have just joined the team. One is in Canada and the other in Massachusetts.

With Much Love,

Semantics King Jr.
Editor
NewLiberian.com

This week, my good friend Semantics King Jr, the editor of our site NewLiberian.com, is in Miami for the WeMedia conference, an annual symposium of leaders in the digital media revolution. We were able to score Semantics a full fellowship for the event (airfare and hotel covered completely), but because he’s a Liberian refugee with no bank account or credit cards, I had to arrange and front the money for the flight and lodging, which, to be frank, was a huge pain in the ass.

But Semantics has been experiencing his own pain in the ass, as he outlined in his blog yesterday. Not only was his ride involved in a car wreck on the way to the airport, but he missed his flight and was stuck in a series of out-of-the-way diversions and long delays. When he finally made it to Miami, it was just in time for the big city-wide blackout as a result of the nuclear power plant shutdown.

Semantics’ blog entry on his hunt for something cool to drink is a good read. I recommend dropping by. He’s also written a thoughtful blog post for WeMedia’s site on how the media’s covered the 2008 presidential campaigns.

… and it’s Pres. George W. Bush getting funky with Pres. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

Sigh…

Today I got an email from the office of Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf about NewLiberian.com. Here’s what Robtel Neijai Pailey, special assistant for communications had to say:

“I, Robtel Neajai Pailey, happened upon your site and was impressed with the level of professionalism you have demonstrated. Bravo for putting together stories, commentaries, news, and analysis for Liberians to access.”

In a way, that’s the ultimate recognition of our efforts. What a great way to start the week.

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