After winning a $100K Requisite grant from Press Forward, The St. Louis Argus battles with Editor Sarah Fenske to retain the prize

St. Louis Argus Contends with Conflict Over $100K Grant

A former employee of the now-defunct Riverfront Times is calling for an investigation into St. Louis Argus’, Missouri’s oldest Black newspaper’s, publishing tactics. Sarah Fenske, Executive Editor of St. Louis Magazine, is working with multiple outlets to persuade Press Forward to take action.

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Extra Extra read all about it.

The board at St. Louis Argus Newspaper applied for a grant to help them proceed with bringing great stories to their St. Louis audiences. Whether it’s publishing vital content daily through their newsletter, Digital Screens, prints, or their 24/7 Online presence. The historic publication, just like any other local circulation in St. Louis, is struggling to survive in the background of the digital age.

Sarah Fenske, previously with the now-defunct Riverfront Time Newspaper and currently the Executive Editor at St. Louis Magazine, has reached out to various media colleagues and lodged a formal complaint with Press Forward. This action has resulted in a temporary hold on the award pending a response from the funding body to the raised concerns.

Fenske’s primary issue is the eligibility of St. Louis Argus for the grant. She argues that their practice of republishing content from St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Public Radio, and St. Louis Post Dispatch, should render them ineligible for the grant.

Furthermore, Sarah Fenske also emailed the Publisher of the Argus requesting a statement to such. And even the privileged audacity to inquire about how the money was going to be used.

She then took to Facebook and posted on St. Louis Magazine’s profile her disappointment in The Argus winning the grant.

The article: https://www.stlmag.com/news/st-louis-argus-gets-100k-grant-after-helping-itself-to-other/?utm_content=313511040&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-78564012083

Here are a few comments from the Facebook post:

Yacenda Paige

Woe is me, seems like someone is just pissed off that a historic Black newspaper prevailed. Yes they reposted your stuff, with credits and never copied anything. They just reshared it on their platform to broaden the audience. And to make things clear, there is a better way to settle this and work together. I remember this lady from Riverfront Times, clearly a true storyteller spewing her hatred to SLM. Get rid of her before you are closed like RFT.lol

Wesley Lance

I enjoy reading your stories since I am on the road and might be moving there. However I am very familiar with Argus, and I think stealing other’s work is not what I think they are doing They are reposting stories to the community that otherwise might not take the time out to read it. It seems to me someone is bitter that the other ran away with the prize. Grow up St Louis, and learn to network together, this is why things are not getting done there.

Morrise DeNault

Maybe they needed the grant to stop reposting others work and that’s why they won. Why kick a group when they are rebuilding and trying to rebrand themselves and support Black communities?

D Allen Miller

This article is nothing more than the killing of two birds with one stone, typical emotional behavior from many of the so-called “St. Louis elites.” Harvesting a sense of entitlement breeds recklessness, the heart and spirit of Sarah Fenske’s article. If Sarah had penned this article several months ago versus on the heel of the Argus’ good news, it may have gathered some steam and a jolt of relevance. However, she unwisely followed the rot of her divisive sentiments.

In contrast, River City Journalism Fund, a nonprofit with a St. Louis mailing address, was not successful in applying for funds from Press Forward according to the Editor’s Note following said article. Interestingly enough, Sarah Fenske volunteers as the executive director for RCJF. Is Ms. Fenske an amazing journalist? Yes indeed! Yet, it appears as if she couldn’t control her disdain for Black excellence and progress. To open a lengthy article filled with malicious accusations and emotional cynicism is the unveiling of Sarah Fenske’s true character.

In the might of positivity and a brighter day, I’m certain, we (the Black community), will mount up and continue to propel the St. Louis Argus forward despite Sarah Fenske’s vicious attack on our beloved news source.

St. Louis Argus forever!!!

Our Senior Writer/Podcast Producer Lacey Turner had this to say:

Lacey “G Souldier” Turner

The recent claims against St. Louis Argus regarding the alleged use of stories and photographs from other local media outlets are not only unfounded but also misrepresent the values and practices we uphold in our journalism. Our commitment to informing the community is paramount, and we prioritize ethical standards in our work.  

First and foremost, the characterization of our publication as merely lifting content from other sources overlooks the fundamental role we play in the St. Louis media landscape. The Argus is dedicated to amplifying local voices and stories that may not receive adequate attention elsewhere. We actively engage with our community to uncover unique narratives and provide a platform for diverse perspectives.  

Furthermore, we maintain strong relationships with local organizations and have engaged in collaborations that strengthen a spirit of cooperation within the media ecosystem. When we share stories that resonate with our audience, it is often a reflection of shared interests and a collective vision for the region’s growth and improvement.  

Regarding the specific allegations of copyright infringement, we have always strived to adhere to industry norms. Content sharing, when done respectfully and within the bounds of fair use, is a common practice in journalism, especially when it serves to strengthen community ties and enhance public discourse. We are open to dialogue with other media organizations to ensure mutual understanding and respect for each other’s work.  

In conclusion, the St. Louis Argus remains committed to ethical journalism and to serving our community with integrity. We encourage a collaborative approach among all media outlets to promote the rich narratives that define St. Louis.

Thanks to Lacey, and our readers, because as you can see St. Louis Magazine didn’t get many comments on the thread.

We wish Sarah well on Donnybrook, St. Louis Magazine, and all her endeavors. We just want her to leave us alone, and don’t worry about how we spend money that we never received.

Keywords: St. Louis Argus, Press Forward grant, editorial dispute, Sarah Fenske, $100K prize

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