VTDigger just wrapped up a successful fundraiser with a strong promise: “Reader support will power statewide election coverage, daily news and investigative reporting across Vermont.”

Yeah, well, none of that is happening. Election coverage has been meager, daily news is thin on the ground, and investigative reporting is a thing of the past.

Let’s make it clear that I WANT VTDIGGER TO FLOURISH. We need a strong, vibrant VTDigger as a foundational piece of our media ecosystem. My family continues to give monthly, and we have no plans to change that. But we definitely feel like we’re not getting our money’s worth, and that VTDigger is falling short of its mission.

I went back over the past 12 weekdays (activity is lower on weekends) using Digger’s “Latest Stories” page, and the results were depressing. A total of 38 original stories were posted, not counting reposts from other outlets. That’s an average of 3 1/4 stories per day including three pieces by Carly Berlin, a reporter shared with Vermont Public.

What’s more, out of 38 stories, I would classify eight as features, not hard news. Fall foliage, the Tunbridge Fair, a once-banned children’s book, a profile of a Vermont filmmaker, stuff like that.

On the other hand, try to find content that meets Digger’s fundraising promise of “statewide election coverage” and “investigative reporting.” I counted four campaign-related stories (when we’re in the midst of the general election season) and nothing that resembles investigative reporting. You know, actual digging.

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