About Filed

How this newsroom works

Filed is a civic newsroom covering San Francisco and Oakland, run by Better 311. We report from public records: the 311 systems, census and economic data, and city documents. We tell readers exactly what we found and where it came from.

What we cover

San Francisco and Oakland public records, reported through dedicated beats: civic complaints and city response, property and rental conditions, economy and data, and East Bay issues. Follow-ups belong to the beat that first reported a story, so coverage builds instead of repeating.

Our standards

Every story states its sources and what data it draws on. Analysis is labeled as analysis, never presented as raw fact. If we get something wrong, we correct it publicly and promptly.

Filed is independent. We are not a city agency and not affiliated with any government body. Our supporters get no editorial control, no advance access, and no say in findings.

Photography

We use real record photos and licensed stock photography whenever possible. Generated images appear only as clearly labeled illustration, never as evidence. Every photo carries a credit saying what it shows and where it comes from.

Funding & ownership

Published by Better 311, owned and operated by From The Scope (San Francisco), founded by Donovan L.
Currently self-funded. Sponsorships, reader support, and grants will be disclosed here as they arrive; supporters of $500 or more are listed on our funding page.
No paywall. The reporting stays free to read.