Crypto journalists form organization

A group of veteran cryptocurrency journalists comprising representatives from the sector’s largest publishing firms – The Block, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, Decrypt and Forbes Crypto – formally launched a member-based organization on Monday.

The Association of Cryptocurrency Journalists and Researchers will provide education, mentorship and training to ensure practitioners aspire to the highest ethical and journalistic standards; host digital and physical events to provide outlets for networking and professional outreach; and offer annual grants and awards to recognize and encourage outstanding work.

Founding Presidents Leigh Cuen and Joon Ian Wong are veteran journalists with experience at Quartz, Newsweek and CoinDesk.

“The ACJR will provide a much-needed resource for journalists and researchers covering the tricky cryptocurrency beat,” says Cuen. “We’re a global group, helping reporters from Caracas to London and Hong Kong.”

“We started this group to support and defend free and independent journalism in the cryptocurrency domain, which is the most exciting convergence of finance and technology in the world today,” says Wong.

Other founders include:

• Michael del Castillo, Forbes associate editor
• Michael McSweeney, The Block managing editor
• Josh Quittner, Decrypt Media co-founder
• Jon Rice, Cointelegraph editor-in-chief
• Pete Rizzo, Kraken editor-at-large
• Camila Russo, The Defiant founder
• Zack Seward, CoinDesk managing editor
• Laura Shin, Unchained founder
• Molly Jane Zuckerman, CoinMarketCap content manager

As the blockchain industry jumpstarted by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 increasingly matures, the group recognizes the opportunity for those who cover the technology to collaborate with a view to elevating standards of investigation, accuracy, fact-checking, and writing.

The ACJR is currently working with law firm Proskauer Rose LLP, which has donated its time to help the group file as a tax-exempt 501(6)c non-profit organization, a business group similar to a chamber of commerce assembled to promote an industry.

The organization is currently seeking members and will soon launch a monthly newsletter. To get involved, or learn more about joining, sign up for the newsletter, follow the ACJR on Twitter (@ACJRNetwork) and Telegram and learn more on the website: acjr.network.

Membership will be open to professional reporters and researchers, and associate membership will be open to anyone interested in supporting ACJR’s mission.