Civil Beat was founded in 2010 by Pierre Omidyar, the entrepreneur best known for creating eBay. Omidyar, a resident of Hawaii, recognized the need for in-depth, investigative journalism in the state and wanted to create a platform that would foster civic engagement and public discourse. He envisioned Civil Beat as a digital-first news organization that would focus on important local issues often overlooked by traditional media. Today, Civil Beat operates as a nonprofit organization, with Omidyar serving as the publisher and primary funder, while day-to-day operations are managed by a team of experienced journalists and editors. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Civil Beat covers a wide range of topics relevant to the Hawaiian Islands and the broader Pacific region. Their coverage includes local and state politics, environmental issues, education, housing, homelessness, and Native Hawaiian affairs. The organization is known for its investigative reporting and in-depth analysis of complex issues facing Hawaii. While primarily focused on news and current affairs, Civil Beat also features opinion pieces, community voices, and occasional coverage of cultural events. The website serves as a platform for public dialogue, encouraging reader engagement through comments, community submissions, and events. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of Civil Beat is its commitment to transparency in journalism. The organization regularly publishes “Behind The Story“ articles, which provide readers with insights into how and why certain stories were reported. These pieces often include details about the reporting process, challenges faced, and decisions made by journalists and editors. This approach not only educates readers about the journalistic process but also builds trust by openly discussing the methods and motivations behind their reporting. This level of transparency is relatively uncommon in traditional news media and sets Civil Beat apart in its approach to journalism.