The following is an analysis of The Center for Public Integrity. The information on this blog can be found on the Web site http://www.publicintegrity.org/about/.
The Center of Public Integrity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing original, responsible investigative journalism on issues of public concern. The Center is non-partisan and non advocacy. They are committed reporting both in the United States and around the world.
The mission of the Center for Public Integrity is to produce original journalism about significant public issues to make institutional power more transparent and accountable.
The Center of Public Integrity generates high-quality, accessible investigative reports, databases and contextual analysis on issues of public importance. The Center also disseminates work to journalists, policy-makers, scholars and citizens using a combination of digital, electronic and print media. It educates, engages and empowers citizens with tools and the guidance they need to hold governments and other institutions accountable. The Center remains independent by building a strong and sustainable financial base of support, including a community of committed individuals and foundations.
All of the articles within this Web site have to deal with money, the government and the economy. The articles give information about elections, government officials and how the economy is within the United States and the world.
The Center is extremely helpful for journalists. In the Research Tools section there are links on the side of the page containing U.S. public records, suggested FOI resources, exemptions under the FOIA and just general instructions for filing requests. Also, on the same side there is a list of databases journalists should explore when writing a political story.
In the paper trail section of the Center of Public Integrity Web site is a list of stories dealing with money and politics. Within this page is a search section that will find stories chosen to look at. The page also lists most popular stories and most tagged, in order to find stories people are most interested in.
The Web site is a good way to receive a very precise definition of the government and it's spending, which is crucial in the debt and poor economy the United States finds itself in today. The Web site is relevant to important issues in the present. However, the information regarding people who are in charge of the Center is from way back in 2006. Updates on this would be helpful in a case in which a journalist is trying to get in touch with this company to receive more information. I give this Web site a rank of 4 out of the possible 5 points. It fulfills it's mission and articles are easy to find. If the ownership information was up to date I would say the Web site was a 5.
I think this website has a great motive. Focusing on transparency and accountability is important. I think the research tools section is very useful because it is a quick way to find what you were looking for. I also like the databases. These could be used for a quick reference to a story. I agree that it is important to report on government spending in this economy. I am glad this site is keeping us informed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a interesting Web site. I like the range of work that they are doing from larger scale, long-term investigations to a running blog. The information is integral the public and seems to be presented without agenda. I like that the resource tab is aimed at the public, not only at journalists. Citizens should be as aware that they can file FOI requests, just like us.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you and Allison about the motive and mission of the Center, and I would add that it seems as though this organization is focusing on the democratic mission of journalism that we discussed in class. However, I'm not sure how 'original' some of the stories or articles are. I would give the site a rating of 4 as well because the resources are very useful for journalists tackling these types of investigative stories. The site does give links to verified reports that journalists can use to begin researching and writing their story. Any organization aimed to serve the public with information that can help citizens make informed decisions is a very helpful organization to other journalists as a model of the direction that they should look toward. Another organization similar is the Center for Investigative Reporting. Check it out.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very appealing Web site! Not only does it provide very important and useful reports, but it also is very organized and allows easy accessibility to find in depth information. I also liked how the web site isn't intimidating! The sections entitled "The Data Mine" and "The Daily Watchdog" include data that the public needs to know, along with important investigative reports that are full of great and valuable information.
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