Journalists enjoy both competition and camaraderie. The New Mexico Independent provided opportunity for both. Its strong emphasis on state politics made it a site to watch, particularly during the Legislature and elections. Its non-profit model encouraged collaborative efforts, and SFR had the opportunity to team up with NMI on more than one occasion. Loss of any media outlet is never good news, and in this case we were particularly sorry to learn today that NMI has been shuttered. 

NMI's editor, Gwyneth Doland, tells SFR she wasn't "shocked" because "anyone working in the media today has to be prepared for dramatic and unexpected changes. They are happening in every sector and they are happening without warning." Nonetheless, she says, "I was shocked to see the cuts go so completely."

Doland, a former editor and writer for SFR, says while NMI's financial challenges as a non-profit operating in today's economy proved insurmountable, she still believes "there's a lot of potential in the non-profit model." Were she to undertake a comparable project, she says, "I would focus some strengths on diversifying the revenue stream, because in a tough economy, philanthropy isn’t what it is when everybody has money."

NMI was one of eight sites run by the American Independent News Network, which is based in Washington, DC.