Watchdog.org
Encyclopedia
Watchdog.org is a non-profit news group founded in September 2009 to serve and support independent journalists reporting on state and local government. The organization website (www.watchdog.org) serves as a central hub that highlights stories produced by journalists at state-based watchdog news sites. Watchdog.org, including state-specific watchdog websites, is a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
.
According to the organization website, Watchdog.org “provides established investigative journalists with a platform to publish their work. It also affords reporters across the country an opportunity to share information, investigative techniques and resources. By enhancing communication between reporters, the consortium hopes to promote a vibrant 4th Estate, a well-informed electorate and a more transparent government.”
The sponsoring organization for Watchdog.org is the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a 501 (C) 3 non-profit group that is not endowed and does not accept government funding. The organization is solely funded by private donations.
brand of news organizations is used by over a dozen state-watchdog news groups in the network. Many of these publications are projects by the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
, the same non-profit group that sponsors Watchdog.org.
Currently the network includes:
. His investigation inspired the entire Watchdog network to investigate each state.
Over the following twenty-four hours stories appeared all over the internet, which uncovered similar results in all fifty states, D.C., and the American Territories.
"According to data retrieved from recovery.gov, nearly $6.4 billion was used to “create or save” just under 30,000 jobs in these phantom congressional districts–almost $225,000 per job.",
The story was subsequently revealed to be a misunderstanding. A computer database was responsible for the non-existent districts.
promotes itself as an advocacy group for “transparency in government.” They believe this can be accomplished through the use of new technology, often referred to as “new media
.” Watchdog.org and Franklin Center believe that journalists must master new media and offer in-depth training and education to individuals and organizations interested in learning new media techniques.
Some of the courses offered include Computer Assisted Reporting and Watchdog Workshops. The Franklin Center website offers internet links to numerous online resources and strongly advocates through their mission statement that these course and tools be used by “unbiased and accurate reporters.”
On June 13, 2011, Franklin Center announced that Watchdog.org news coverage would be accessible through an IPhone
application.
Watchdog.org abides by the Code of Ethics promulgated by the Society of Professional Journalists
and is guided by standards of the Associated Press. On February 16, 2010, the organization was certified by Google News.
Donations:
The organization's sponsor, Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, does not disclose donor information. According to the organization website, "The Franklin Center protects the identification of its generous donors and ensures anonymity of all contributions.”
Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity was founded on January 13, 2009 to serve as a national organization dedicated to training and supporting investigative journalism and journalistic endeavors at state based think tanks and other state based groups, individuals and...
.
According to the organization website, Watchdog.org “provides established investigative journalists with a platform to publish their work. It also affords reporters across the country an opportunity to share information, investigative techniques and resources. By enhancing communication between reporters, the consortium hopes to promote a vibrant 4th Estate, a well-informed electorate and a more transparent government.”
The sponsoring organization for Watchdog.org is the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a 501 (C) 3 non-profit group that is not endowed and does not accept government funding. The organization is solely funded by private donations.
Watchdog News Network
Watchdog News Network consists of journalists serving state-based news groups reporting on state and local government. The Watchdog.orgWatchdog.org
Watchdog.org is a non-profit news group founded in September 2009 to serve and support independent journalists reporting on state and local government. The organization website serves as a central hub that highlights stories produced by journalists at state-based watchdog news sites...
brand of news organizations is used by over a dozen state-watchdog news groups in the network. Many of these publications are projects by the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity was founded on January 13, 2009 to serve as a national organization dedicated to training and supporting investigative journalism and journalistic endeavors at state based think tanks and other state based groups, individuals and...
, the same non-profit group that sponsors Watchdog.org.
Currently the network includes:
- Hawaii Reporter
- Kansas Watchdog
- Maine Watchdog
- Missouri Watchdog
- Montana Watchdog
- Nebraska Watchdog
- New Hampshire Watchdog
- New Jersey Watchdog
- New Mexico Watchdog
- Ohio Watchdog
- Oklahoma Watchdog
- Old Dominion Watchdog
- Pennsylvania Independent
- Tennessee Watchdog
- Texas Watchdog
- Washington Examiner
- West Virginia Watchdog
- Wyoming Reporter
Watchdog.org Exposes Phantom Congressional Districts
On November 16, 2009, New Mexico Watchdog, a state-specific member of the Watchdog News Network, revealed that millions of dollars in stimulus funds had been allocated to "create and save" jobs in congressional districts that did not exist. Reporter Jim Scarantino cited Recovery.org, the website developed by the Obama administration to track spending and job creation courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. His investigation inspired the entire Watchdog network to investigate each state.
Over the following twenty-four hours stories appeared all over the internet, which uncovered similar results in all fifty states, D.C., and the American Territories.
"According to data retrieved from recovery.gov, nearly $6.4 billion was used to “create or save” just under 30,000 jobs in these phantom congressional districts–almost $225,000 per job.",
The story was subsequently revealed to be a misunderstanding. A computer database was responsible for the non-existent districts.
New Technology
Watchdog.org sponsor organization, Franklin Center for Government and Public IntegrityFranklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity was founded on January 13, 2009 to serve as a national organization dedicated to training and supporting investigative journalism and journalistic endeavors at state based think tanks and other state based groups, individuals and...
promotes itself as an advocacy group for “transparency in government.” They believe this can be accomplished through the use of new technology, often referred to as “new media
New media
New media is a broad term in media studies that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century. For example, new media holds out a possibility of on-demand access to content any time, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community...
.” Watchdog.org and Franklin Center believe that journalists must master new media and offer in-depth training and education to individuals and organizations interested in learning new media techniques.
Some of the courses offered include Computer Assisted Reporting and Watchdog Workshops. The Franklin Center website offers internet links to numerous online resources and strongly advocates through their mission statement that these course and tools be used by “unbiased and accurate reporters.”
On June 13, 2011, Franklin Center announced that Watchdog.org news coverage would be accessible through an IPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
application.
Standards and Practices
Journalism:Watchdog.org abides by the Code of Ethics promulgated by the Society of Professional Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists , formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States. It was established in April 1909 at DePauw University, and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. The ten founding members of...
and is guided by standards of the Associated Press. On February 16, 2010, the organization was certified by Google News.
Donations:
The organization's sponsor, Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, does not disclose donor information. According to the organization website, "The Franklin Center protects the identification of its generous donors and ensures anonymity of all contributions.”