Kickstarter hires reporter to investigate failed startup

Kickstarter has hired Seattle-based journalist Mark Harris to look into how its largest-funded European project ever suddenly imploded, reports Cyrus Farivar of ArsTechnica.

Farivar writes, “‘We went looking for a good freelance tech writer with some investigative experience, and we found Mark,’ David Gallagher, a Kickstarter spokesman, told Ars by e-mail.

“‘I will also be looking into Kickstarter’s role in the project and whether it could have served Zano’s creators or backers better throughout,’ Harris wrote. ‘Crucially, although Kickstarter is paying me (up front) to research and write this story and will be able to see it before it is sent to the backers or published, the company has no right to make any suggestions or changes to my copy. I have no other connection to the company, nor to anyone on the Zano team, and have no particular axe to grind.’

“One backer, posting on a Zano-related Facebook group, wrote on Tuesday that he applauded the move. ‘Well it is nice to see something getting done,’ Sean Rowland wrote. ‘At least it’s being looked into and not being swept under the rug.'”

Read more here.