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{{short description|American nonprofit news organization}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox organization/Wikidata
 |fetchwikidata   = ALL
 |suppressfields  = country
 |purpose=The Markup challenges technology to serve the public good.
 <!--|leader_name=Sisi Wei, Editor-in-Chief   // NOTE: Need to update Template:Infobox organization/Wikidata to accept |leader_title field-->
}}

'''''The Markup''''' is an American [[nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] [[News media|news publication]] focused on the impact of technology on society. Founded in 2018 with the goal of advancing [[data-driven journalism]], the publication launched in February 2020. [[Nabiha Syed]] is the current chief executive officer and Sisi Wei is the editor-in-chief.

== History ==
''The Markup'' was co-founded by two former [[ProPublica]] journalists [[Julia Angwin]] and Jeff Larson, and executive and journalist [[Sue Gardner]].<ref name="TheMarkup-About">{{Cite web|url=https://themarkup.org/|title=About|website=The Markup|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> The project was announced in April 2018, with an expected launch in early 2019.<ref name="nl_20180412_markupdesc">{{Cite news |url=http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/04/former-propublica-journalists-are-launching-a-newsroom-to-cover-the-impact-of-technology-on-society/ |title=Former ProPublica journalists are launching a newsroom to cover the impact of technology on society |last=Owen |first=Laura Hazard |date=April 12, 2018 |work=[[Nieman Foundation for Journalism]] |access-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414045711/http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/04/former-propublica-journalists-are-launching-a-newsroom-to-cover-the-impact-of-technology-on-society/ |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, founder Anguin said the portal planned to collect and create public datasets through [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|public records]] requests, automated data collection, [[crowdsourcing]] information, and creating tools.<ref name="vox_20180927_markupangwin">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/9/27/17908798/julia-angwin-markup-jeff-larson-craig-newmark-data-investigative-journalism-peter-kafka-podcast |title=It may be ‘data journalism,’ but Julia Angwin’s new site the Markup is nothing like FiveThirtyEight |last=Johnson |first=Eric |date=September 27, 2018 |work=[[Recode]] |access-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501012724/https://www.vox.com/2018/9/27/17908798/julia-angwin-markup-jeff-larson-craig-newmark-data-investigative-journalism-peter-kafka-podcast |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2019, Gardner fired Angwin as editor-in-chief. According to Larson and Gardner, the reasons for Angwin's removal included disagreements over the non-journalistic responsibilities of Angwin's role as an executive, such as the organization falling behind in its hiring plans and the launch timeline.<ref name="cjr_20190425_markupdrama">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/the-markup.php |title=Here's what happened inside The Markup |last=Ingram |first=Matthew |author-link=Matthew Ingram |date=April 25, 2019 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |language=en |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425201556/https://www.cjr.org/analysis/the-markup.php |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Larson was named as her replacement. In a letter to [[Craig Newmark]], The Markup's largest donor, Angwin asked him to intervene, claiming she was pushed out after resisting Gardner's attempts to change The Markup's mission to "one based on advocacy against the tech companies." Six out of seven journalists on staff resigned following Angwin's ouster. Gardner denied changing the mission, telling ''The New York Times,'' "We are, pure and simple, a news outlet, we always have been and always will be. Our goals and purpose haven’t changed."<ref name="nyt_20190423_angwinout">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/business/media/julia-angwin-markup.html|title=Julia Angwin Is Out as Editor of New Tech Watchdog Site The Markup|last=Maheshwari|first=Sapna|date=April 23, 2019|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 23, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|author-link=Sapna Maheshwari |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423144603/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/business/media/julia-angwin-markup.html |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cjr_20190423_moreresignations">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/julia-angwin-markup-letter-sue-gardner.php |title=The Markup ousts editor in chief Julia Angwin, prompting resignations |last=Sterne |first=Peter |date=April 23, 2019 |website=[[Columbia Journalism Review]] |language=en |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623080459/https://www.cjr.org/analysis/julia-angwin-markup-letter-sue-gardner.php |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Larson and Gardner, the reasons for Angwin's ouster had instead included disagreements over the non-journalistic responsibilities of Angwin's role as an executive, such as the organization falling behind in its hiring plans and the launch timeline.<ref name="cjr_20190425_markupdrama"/>

In May 2019, Newmark announced that Gardner and Larson had left The Markup, and there were reports about plans to bring back Angwin as editor-in-chief.<ref name="nyt_20190524_markupfirings">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/24/business/media/markup-tech-site-newsroom-departures.html|title=More Turmoil at The Markup, a Tech Site Still in Beta Mode|last=Tracy|first=Marc|date=May 24, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 9, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524231450/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/24/business/media/markup-tech-site-newsroom-departures.html|archive-date=May 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wsj_20190524_angwin">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/julia-angwin-in-talks-to-return-to-tech-news-site-she-helped-found-11558736426 |title=Julia Angwin in Talks to Return to Tech News Site She Helped Found |last=Vranica |first=Suzanne |date=May 24, 2019 |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=June 9, 2019 |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525010021/https://www.wsj.com/articles/julia-angwin-in-talks-to-return-to-tech-news-site-she-helped-found-11558736426 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 6, 2019, The Markup announced that Angwin would return as editor-in-chief, along with [[Nabiha Syed]] as president and much of the original team – but without Larson or Gardner.<ref name="nyt_20190806_anguinreturn">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/business/media/the-markup-julia-angwin.html|title=The Markup, a Tech News Site, Reinstalls Its Fired Editor as Part of a Fresh Start|website=The New York Times|date=August 6, 2019|language=en|access-date=August 7, 2019|last1=Tracy|first1=Marc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806171003/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/business/media/the-markup-julia-angwin.html|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Syed was previously [[BuzzFeed]]’s associate general counsel and vice president.<ref name="nyt_20200224_markuplaunch"/>

The publication launched in February 2020.<ref name="nyt_20200224_markuplaunch">{{cite news|last=Tracy |first=Marc |date=February 24, 2020 |title=After Long Wait, The Markup Is Ready to ‘Show Our Work’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/business/the-markup-tech-launch.html |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224211005/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/business/the-markup-tech-launch.html |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, Syed hired Sisi Wei, formerly of OpenNews and [[ProPublica]] to become editor-in-chief, replacing Angwin.<ref name="nl_20220802_newmarkupeoc">{{Cite web |last=Tameez |first=Hanaaʼ |last=Tameez |title=“A bigger focus on the human impact of technology”: Sisi Wei is The Markup’s new editor-in-chief |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/08/a-bigger-focus-on-the-human-impact-of-technology-sisi-wei-is-the-markups-new-editor-in-chief/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Nieman Lab |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802214652/https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/08/a-bigger-focus-on-the-human-impact-of-technology-sisi-wei-is-the-markups-new-editor-in-chief/ |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2023, Angwin left The Markup.<ref name="markup_20230204_departure">{{cite web |last=Angwin |first=Julia |date=February 4, 2023 |title=Journalistic Lessons for the Algorithmic Age |url=https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/02/04/journalistic-lessons-for-the-algorithmic-age |work=[[The Markup]] |access-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204130338/https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/02/04/journalistic-lessons-for-the-algorithmic-age |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Funding ==
The Markup received a $20 million gift from [[Craigslist]] founder [[Craig Newmark]]. The Markup also raised $2 million from the [[John S. and James L. Knight Foundation|Knight Foundation]] and an additional $1 million from the [[Ford Foundation]], [[MacArthur Foundation]], and ''The Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Initiative''.<ref name="Bowles 2018">{{Cite news |last=Bowles |first=Nellie |author-link=Nellie Bowles |date=September 23, 2018 |title=News Site to Investigate Big Tech, Helped by Craigslist Founder |language=en |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/23/business/media/the-markup-craig-newmark.html |access-date=September 24, 2018}}</ref>

== Coverage and impact ==

=== 2022 reporting on Meta and tax preparation companies ===
In November 2022, an investigation by ''The Markup'' revealed that tax filing companies including [[H&R Block]], [[TaxSlayer]], and [[TaxAct]] have shared users' financial information with [[Facebook]] parent company [[Meta Platforms|Meta]].<ref name="eg_20221122_facebooktaxtracking">{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Tax prep websites have been sending sensitive financial data to Facebook |url=https://www.engadget.com/tax-filing-website-data-meta-pixel-facebook-154500543.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122154926/https://www.engadget.com/tax-filing-website-data-meta-pixel-facebook-154500543.html |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cnbc_20221122_facebooktaxtracking">{{Cite web |last=Feiner |first=Lauren |title=Popular tax prep software sent financial information to Meta: report |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/popular-tax-prep-software-sent-financial-information-to-meta-report.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122144534/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/popular-tax-prep-software-sent-financial-information-to-meta-report.html |archive-date=November 22, 2022}}</ref><ref name="bb_20221213_facebooktaxtracking">{{Cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Facebook Leak Just One Reason Taxpayer Data Sharing Must Stop |url=https://news.bloombergtax.com/tax-insights-and-commentary/facebook-leak-just-one-reason-taxpayer-data-sharing-must-stop |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Bloomberg Tax |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213121304/https://news.bloombergtax.com/ |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In response, a class action lawsuit was filed by H&R Block customers against Meta, who accused the tech company of violating users' privacy rights.<ref name="eg_20221203_facebooktaxlawsuit">{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Meta faces lawsuit for harvesting financial data from tax prep websites |url=https://www.engadget.com/meta-collecting-sensitive-financial-data-tax-prep-websites-100454171.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203102348/https://www.engadget.com/meta-collecting-sensitive-financial-data-tax-prep-websites-100454171.html |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Senator [[Elizabeth Warren]] and representatives [[Katie Porter]] and [[Brad Sherman]] sent letters to the tax companies, as well as Meta and [[Google]], to warn against such behavior.<ref name="warren_20221214_metagooglewarning">{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2022 |title=Senators Warren, Wyden, Representatives Porter and Sherman Call Out Tax Prep Companies for Sharing of Private Taxpayer Financial Information with Meta, Google {{!}} U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts |url=https://www.warren.senate.gov/oversight/letters/senators-warren-wyden-representatives-porter-and-sherman-call-out-tax-prep-companies-for-sharing-of-private-taxpayer-financial-information-with-meta-google |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Senator Elizabeth Warren (warren.senate.gov) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214215224/https://www.warren.senate.gov/oversight/letters/senators-warren-wyden-representatives-porter-and-sherman-call-out-tax-prep-companies-for-sharing-of-private-taxpayer-financial-information-with-meta-google |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Markup, The}}
[[Category:2018 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:American journalism organizations]]
[[Category:American technology news websites]]
[[Category:Data journalism]]
[[Category:Mass media companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 2018]]
[[Category:Mass media in New York City]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Technology websites]]