The Center for Investigative Reporting is launching a new statewide reporting initiative "to produce in-depth multimedia journalism specific to California and to engage the public on issues of critical importance to the state." They are hiring. Robert J. Rosenthal, CIR’s executive director and former managing editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, has overall responsibility. Louis Freedberg, founder and director of the California Media Collaborative, will direct the project. Aims and funding sources after the jump.

From the release:

The project will cover key California issues, including education, the environment, immigration, state governance and public safety. A major focus will be on making statewide data accessible to journalists and the public, connecting the dots on particular issues between communities throughout the state. It also will emphasize “solutions-based” reporting, identifying ways that ordinary Californians, as well as policy makers, can address the issues covered. Social networking tools will encourage audience interaction and help communities solve problems and identify potential issues to be investigated.

Grants of $1.2 million each have come from the James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.