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| url = [http://www.franklincenterhq.org/ www.franklincenterhq.org]
| url = [http://www.franklincenterhq.org/ www.franklincenterhq.org]
| alexa = {{DecreasePositive}} 1,738,745 ({{as of|2014|4|1|alt=April 2014}})<ref name="alexa">{{cite web|url= http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/franklincenterhq.org |title= Franklincenterhq.org Site Info | publisher= [[Alexa Internet]] |accessdate= 2014-04-01 }}</ref><!--Updated monthly by OKBot.-->
| alexa = {{DecreasePositive}} 1,738,745 ({{as of|2014|4|1|alt=April 2014}})<ref name="alexa">{{cite web|url= http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/franklincenterhq.org |title= Franklincenterhq.org Site Info | publisher= [[Alexa Internet]] |accessdate= 2014-04-01 }}</ref><!--Updated monthly by OKBot.-->
| website_type = News – [[blogging]] – [[Investigative Journalism]] – Education
| website_type = [[Investigative journalism]]
| language = English
| language = English
| current_status = Active
| current_status = Active
}}
}}
The '''Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity''' is a [[conservatism in the United States|politically conservative]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Justin|title=‘Serious, point-of-view journalism’?|url=http://www.cjr.org/swing_states_project/serious_point-of-view_journalism.php?page=all|work=Columbia Journalism Review|accessdate=28 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/heritage-foundation-and-franklin-center-team-up-for-breitbart-awards/2012/05/21/gIQAgthcfU_blog.html|title=Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center team up for Breitbart awards|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 21, 2012|first=Allen|last=McDuffee}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-wins-lawsuit-exempt-himself-new-jerseys-open-records-laws-1646518|title=Chris Christie Wins Lawsuit to Exempt Himself From New Jersey's Open Records Laws|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|date=August 1, 2014|first=David|last=Sirota}}</ref> online news organization in the United States that publishes news and commentary from a [[free market]], [[limited government]] perspective on state and local governance and politics.{{cn|date=August 2014}}
The '''Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity''' is a [[conservatism in the United States|politically conservative]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Justin|title=‘Serious, point-of-view journalism’?|url=http://www.cjr.org/swing_states_project/serious_point-of-view_journalism.php?page=all|work=Columbia Journalism Review|accessdate=28 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/heritage-foundation-and-franklin-center-team-up-for-breitbart-awards/2012/05/21/gIQAgthcfU_blog.html|title=Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center team up for Breitbart awards|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 21, 2012|first=Allen|last=McDuffee}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-wins-lawsuit-exempt-himself-new-jerseys-open-records-laws-1646518|title=Chris Christie Wins Lawsuit to Exempt Himself From New Jersey's Open Records Laws|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|date=August 1, 2014|first=David|last=Sirota}}</ref> online news organization in the United States that publishes news and commentary from a [[free market]], [[limited government]] perspective on state and local governance and politics.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McBride|first1=Kelly|last2=Rosensteil|first2=Tom|title=The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century|date=7-30-2013|publisher=Congressional Quarterly Press|isbn=1483320952|page=130|accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Enda|first1=Jodi|title=At the statehouse, ideological press tries to fill a void in news coverage|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/15/at-the-statehouse-ideological-press-tries-to-fill-void-in-news-coverage/|accessdate=11 August 2014|publisher=Pew Research Center|date=7-15-2014}}</ref>


According to the organization’s mission statement, the Franklin Center’s was founded "to help fill the void created as the nation’s newspapers cut back on their statehouse news coverage and investigative reporting in the wake of falling circulation and revenues.”{{cn|date=August 2014}} In addition to this, the Franklin Center’s mission statement indicates that the organization works “to address falling standards in the media as well as a steep falloff in reporting on state government and provides professional training; research, editorial, multimedia and technical support; and assistance with marketing and promoting the work of a nationwide network of nonprofit reporters.”{{cn|date=August 2014}}
According to the organization’s mission statement, the Franklin Center was founded "to address falling standards in the media as well as a steep falloff in reporting on state government and provides professional training; research, editorial, multimedia and technical support; and assistance with marketing and promoting the work of a nationwide network of nonprofit reporters."<ref>{{cite web|title=Mission|url=http://franklincenterhq.org/about/mission/|publisher=Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity|accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>


[[Jason Stverak]] serves as the organization's president.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stverak|first=Jason|title=Presenting the Case for School Choice|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/stverak_presenting_the_case_for_school_choice-221155-1.html|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=Roll Call|date=2013-01-28}}</ref><ref>[http://www.niemanlab.org/2010/09/government-free-nonprofit-journalism-asterisk-included/ Government-free* nonprofit journalism, asterisk included]</ref>
[[Jason Stverak]] serves as the organization's president.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stverak|first=Jason|title=Presenting the Case for School Choice|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/stverak_presenting_the_case_for_school_choice-221155-1.html|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=Roll Call|date=2013-01-28}}</ref><ref>[http://www.niemanlab.org/2010/09/government-free-nonprofit-journalism-asterisk-included/ Government-free* nonprofit journalism, asterisk included]</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Franklin Center was founded in 2009 with an initial sponsorship grant from the [[Sam Adams Alliance]].{{cn|date=August 2014}} The organization was originally based in [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]], [[North Dakota]] and is currently headquartered in [[Alexandria, Virginia]].{{cn|date=August 2014}} [[Jason Stverak]], who previously worked for the Sam Adams Alliance as a Regional Field Director, is the organization President.{{cn|date=August 2014}}
The Franklin Center was founded in 2009 with an initial sponsorship grant from the [[Sam Adams Alliance]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hillyer|first1=Quin|title=After the Tea Parties|url=http://spectator.org/articles/41570/after-tea-parties|accessdate=11 August 2014|publisher=American Spectator|date=June 2009}}</ref> The organization was originally based in [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]], [[North Dakota]] and is currently headquartered in [[Alexandria, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity IRS Form 990|url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/26-4066298/franklin-center-government-public-integrity.aspx|website=GuideStar|publisher=Internal Revenue Service|accessdate=11 August 2014}}</ref>


⚫
An article published by the ''[[Columbia Journalism Review]]'' reported that 95 percent of the Franklin Center’s 2011 revenue came from a [[donor advised fund]], [[DonorsTrust]], whose top contributors were [[Koch family|Charles and David Koch]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Chavkin|first=Sasha|title=The Koch brothers’ media investment|url=http://www.cjr.org/united_states_project/the_koch_brothers_media_invest.php?page=all|accessdate=11 July 2013|newspaper=Columbia Journalism Review|date=2013-04-22}}</ref>
==Funding==
⚫
The Franklin Center was founded in 2009 with an initial sponsorship grant from the [[Sam Adams Alliance]].{{cn|date=August 2014}} According to the organization website "The Franklin Center is supported by contributions from generous individuals, foundations and business entities in support of our mission," the organization does not disclose their donors.{{cn|date=August 2014}} An article published by the ''[[Columbia Journalism Review]]'', in 2011, revealed that 95 percent of the Franklin Center’s revenues came from the liberty advocacy group [[DonorsTrust]], whose top contributors were [[Libertarian]] philanthropists Charles and David Koch.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chavkin|first=Sasha|title=The Koch brothers’ media investment|url=http://www.cjr.org/united_states_project/the_koch_brothers_media_invest.php?page=all|accessdate=11 July 2013|newspaper=Columbia Journalism Review|date=2013-04-22}}</ref>


==News bureaus and affiliates==
==News bureaus and affiliates==


In September 2009, the Franklin Center launched [[Watchdog.org]], a network of state-based journalists who investigate and report on state and local government. Watchdog.org covers news that involves "public officials, public programs and the taxpayer money that supports them." The network includes affiliates in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.<ref name="Watchdog.org States">[http://watchdog.org/states/ Watchdog.org States]</ref><ref>[http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2364/pa-independent-welcomed-into-state-press-association/ PA Independent Welcomed Into State Press Association ]</ref>
In September 2009, the Franklin Center launched [[Watchdog.org]], a network of state-based journalists who investigate and report on state and local government. Watchdog.org covers news that involves "public officials, public programs and the taxpayer money that supports them." The network includes affiliates in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.<ref name="Watchdog.org States">[http://watchdog.org/states/ Watchdog.org States]</ref><ref>[http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2364/pa-independent-welcomed-into-state-press-association/ PA Independent Welcomed Into State Press Association ]</ref>

[[Statehouse News Online]] is a network of journalists covering state-specific and local government news.{{cn|date=August 2014}} In 2012, Statehouse News was rolled into the [[Watchdog.org]] project.{{cn|date=August 2014}}


===New technology===
===New technology===


The Franklin Center advocates for “transparency in government.” They believe this can be accomplished through use of new technology, often referred to as “[[new media]].” Franklin Center believes it is important for journalists to become fluent in new media, so the organization offers training to individuals and organizations interested in learning new media techniques.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/about/mission/ |title=Franklin Center Mission page |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Franklin Center FAQ page">{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/about/faq/ |title=Franklin Center FAQ page |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref>
The Franklin Center advocates for “transparency in government.” The organization states its belief this can be accomplished through use of new technology, often referred to as “[[new media]].” Franklin Center believes it is important for journalists to become fluent in new media, so the organization offers training to individuals and organizations interested in learning new media techniques.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/about/mission/ |title=Franklin Center Mission page |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Franklin Center FAQ page">{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/about/faq/ |title=Franklin Center FAQ page |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McGann|first1=Laura|title=Conservatives have discovered the virtues of investigative journalism. But can their reporting survive their politics?|url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1005.mcgann.html|accessdate=11 August 2014|publisher=Washington Monthly}}</ref>


===Reporter training and education===
===Reporter training and education===


The Franklin Center advocates for citizen and [[non-profit journalism]] by providing training and resources for independent investigative reporters, state-based news organizations, public-policy institutions, and watchdog groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/resources/ |title=Resources Page |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org i|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref>{{cn|date=August 2014}}
The Franklin Center provides training for investigative reporters, state-based news organizations, public-policy institutions, and watchdog groups.<ref>{{cite news|title=Franklin Center aims investigative reporters at states|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/franklin-center-aims-investigative-reporters-at-states/article/38081|accessdate=11 August 2014|publisher=Washington Examiner|date=11-24-2010}}</ref>

The organization offers new media tools for journalists of all levels to utilize in their reporting efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/resources/computer-assisted-reporting-resources/ |title=Computer-Assisted Reporting Resources |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref>{{cn|date=August 2014}}

The Franklin Center and its affiliates offer their articles as well as training techniques free to any news outlet that wants to “steal our stuff.”{{cn|date=August 2014}}

The Franklin Center works with and co-sponsors programs with media and advocacy groups who support their free market and open government point of view.{{cn|date=August 2014}}


===2012 presidential candidate series===
===2012 presidential candidate series===


On May 10, 2011, Franklin Center journalist Lynn Campbell of IowaPolitics.com was named moderator for the 2012 Presidential Candidate Series.{{cn|date=August 2014}} The series of forums took place in Des Moines, [[Iowa]], the first state to hold a presidential caucus.{{cn|date=August 2014}}
On May 10, 2011, Franklin Center journalist Lynn Campbell of IowaPolitics.com was named moderator for the 2012 Presidential Candidate Series.<ref>{{cite news|title=IOWA CAPITAL DIGEST|url=http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/iowa-capital-digest/article_9f25210e-7b5e-11e0-9295-001cc4c03286.html|accessdate=11 August 2014|publisher=Quad City Times|date=5-10-2011}}</ref>


===Watchdog Wire===
===Watchdog Wire===


In early 2012, the Franklin Center created a platform for citizen journalism under a banner called Watchdog Wire.<ref>{{cite web|author=Citizen Training |url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/watchdog-wire/ |title=Watchdog Wire |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |date= |accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref> Watchdog Wire aims to train citizens to be journalists and provides a place to feature their work.{{cn|date=August 2014}} The Watchdog Wire website states that the it “exists to train citizens just like you to be citizen journalists and provide a place to feature your work. By covering stories in your local community that are otherwise ignored by the establishment media, you can make a difference! We partner with you to provide the training, the platform and the coaching you need to be government watchdogs in your own cities and states.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchdogwire.com/about-the-franklin-center/ |title=Watchdog Wire Website |publisher=Watchdogwire.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.ebyline.com/2013/01/watchdog-wire-bets-that-citizen-journalists-can-do-more-than-blog-about-pets/ |title=Watchdog Wire bets that citizen journalists can investigate, too |publisher=Ebyline |date= |accessdate=2013-01-11}}</ref>
In early 2012, the Franklin Center created a platform for citizen journalism under a banner called Watchdog Wire.<ref>{{cite web|author=Citizen Training |url=http://www.franklincenterhq.org/watchdog-wire/ |title=Watchdog Wire |publisher=Franklincenterhq.org |date= |accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref> The Watchdog Wire website states that the it “exists to train citizens just like you to be citizen journalists and provide a place to feature your work. By covering stories in your local community that are otherwise ignored by the establishment media, you can make a difference! We partner with you to provide the training, the platform and the coaching you need to be government watchdogs in your own cities and states.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchdogwire.com/about-the-franklin-center/ |title=Watchdog Wire Website |publisher=Watchdogwire.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.ebyline.com/2013/01/watchdog-wire-bets-that-citizen-journalists-can-do-more-than-blog-about-pets/ |title=Watchdog Wire bets that citizen journalists can investigate, too |publisher=Ebyline |date= |accessdate=2013-01-11}}</ref>


In June 2013, Watchdog Wire published a one-year anniversary article citing the success citizen journalists have had under their guise. The organization cited and referenced articles that uncovered behavior that resulted in the firing of five campaign workers and numerous government employees, including a Florida school teacher that forced her students to sign a pledge to "Vote for Obama."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchdogwire.com/blog/2013/06/26/watchdog-wire-a-grand-experiment-in-journalism/ |title=A Grand Experiment in Journalism |publisher=Watchdogwire.org |date= |accessdate=2013-06-26}}</ref>
In June 2013, Watchdog Wire published a one-year anniversary article citing the success citizen journalists have had under their guise. The organization cited and referenced articles that uncovered behavior that resulted in the firing of five campaign workers and numerous government employees, including a Florida school teacher that forced her students to sign a pledge to "Vote for Obama."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchdogwire.com/blog/2013/06/26/watchdog-wire-a-grand-experiment-in-journalism/ |title=A Grand Experiment in Journalism |publisher=Watchdogwire.org |date= |accessdate=2013-06-26}}</ref>

===Protect Your Voice project===

On February 9, 2012, the Franklin Center launched the Protect Your Voice project at the national [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC]] conference in Washington D.C.{{cn|date=August 2014}} The project was designed to create public awareness and support legislation that will allow citizen journalists to be protected by [[Shield laws in the United States|media shield laws]].

In support of the project, Franklin Center President [[Jason Stverak]] published an opinion editorial in the February 16, 2012, edition of the [[Washington Examiner]].{{cn|date=August 2014}} Stverak contended that the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] protects citizen journalists and stressed the need for media shield laws to be updated.{{cn|date=August 2014}} He also said that in a 1938 Supreme Court ruling, ''[[Lovell v. City of Griffin]]'', Chief Justice [[Charles Evans Hughes]] had granted bloggers the same protection as traditional journalists when he defined the press as, "every sort of publication which affords a vehicle of information and opinion."{{cn|date=August 2014}}


==Awards and recognition==
==Awards and recognition==

Revision as of 19:54, 11 August 2014

Franklin Center for Public and Government Integrity
FCGPI.jpg
Type of businessNon Profit
Type of site
Investigative journalism
Available inEnglish
FoundedJanuary 13, 2009
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
,
USA
Key peopleJason Stverak, President William Swaim, Managing Editor
URLwww.franklincenterhq.org
Current statusActive

The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity is a politically conservative[2][3][4] online news organization in the United States that publishes news and commentary from a free market, limited government perspective on state and local governance and politics.[5][6]

According to the organization’s mission statement, the Franklin Center was founded "to address falling standards in the media as well as a steep falloff in reporting on state government and provides professional training; research, editorial, multimedia and technical support; and assistance with marketing and promoting the work of a nationwide network of nonprofit reporters."[7]

Jason Stverak serves as the organization's president.[8][9]

History

The Franklin Center was founded in 2009 with an initial sponsorship grant from the Sam Adams Alliance.[10] The organization was originally based in Bismarck, North Dakota and is currently headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.[11]

An article published by the Columbia Journalism Review reported that 95 percent of the Franklin Center’s 2011 revenue came from a donor advised fund, DonorsTrust, whose top contributors were Charles and David Koch.[12]

News bureaus and affiliates

In September 2009, the Franklin Center launched Watchdog.org, a network of state-based journalists who investigate and report on state and local government. Watchdog.org covers news that involves "public officials, public programs and the taxpayer money that supports them." The network includes affiliates in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.[13][14]

New technology

The Franklin Center advocates for “transparency in government.” The organization states its belief this can be accomplished through use of new technology, often referred to as “new media.” Franklin Center believes it is important for journalists to become fluent in new media, so the organization offers training to individuals and organizations interested in learning new media techniques.[15][16][17]

Reporter training and education

The Franklin Center provides training for investigative reporters, state-based news organizations, public-policy institutions, and watchdog groups.[18]

2012 presidential candidate series

On May 10, 2011, Franklin Center journalist Lynn Campbell of IowaPolitics.com was named moderator for the 2012 Presidential Candidate Series.[19]

Watchdog Wire

In early 2012, the Franklin Center created a platform for citizen journalism under a banner called Watchdog Wire.[20] The Watchdog Wire website states that the it “exists to train citizens just like you to be citizen journalists and provide a place to feature your work. By covering stories in your local community that are otherwise ignored by the establishment media, you can make a difference! We partner with you to provide the training, the platform and the coaching you need to be government watchdogs in your own cities and states.”[21][22]

In June 2013, Watchdog Wire published a one-year anniversary article citing the success citizen journalists have had under their guise. The organization cited and referenced articles that uncovered behavior that resulted in the firing of five campaign workers and numerous government employees, including a Florida school teacher that forced her students to sign a pledge to "Vote for Obama."[23]

Awards and recognition

In November 2010, Franklin Center reporters at Marylandreporter.com and Illinois Statehouse News were honored by the National Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors.[citation needed] MarylandReporter.com editor and publisher Len Lazarick won the first place Cappie award for coverage in the online news category of the Excellence in State House Reporting contest for what the judges called his “solid body of beat reporting.”[24][citation needed] The judges also gave Lazarick a third place award for news analysis for his articles on General Assembly compensation.[citation needed] Journalist Kevin Lee of Illinois Statehouse News won the Online In-depth Reporting Award for his investigation into the General Assembly Scholarship Program in Illinois.[24]

In May 2011, the Society of Professional Journalists gave two awards for excellence to CapitolBeatOK.[citation needed] Editor Patrick B. McGuigan and staff writer Stacy Martin were the recipients of several journalism awards.[citation needed] The pair shared two awards for a single story on the potential application of federal civil rights strictures to public school districts defying Oklahoma’s special needs scholarship program, aimed at giving handicapped students choices in where they might go to school.[citation needed] CapitolBeatOK.com won “honorable mention” in the “Best News Website” competition and was awarded third place in “Web Design.”[citation needed] The 2011 awards spanned an 18-month time frame. In all, Martin won 5 awards and McGuigan took home 11 Society of Professional Journalists awards(eight for his reporting and commentaries, and three “institutional awards,” including the two recognitions for CapitolBeatOK.com).[citation needed]

On June 24, 2011, Franklin Center affiliate HawaiiReporter.com received four awards at a Society of Professional Journalists ceremony.[citation needed] Malia Zimmerman, editor of Hawaii Reporter, was honored with the top investigative reporting award and top online news reporting award for her series of stories on alleged human trafficking of Thai workers.[citation needed] Jim Dooley, investigative reporter for Hawaii Reporter, won “finalist” awards in the best business reporting and best government reporting for his work on native Hawaiian contracting preferences.[citation needed]

In August 2011, MarylandReporter.com was awarded a $50,000 grant by the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.[citation needed] The grant was to provide the Franklin Center affiliate with funding for two years to train aspiring journalists through an intensive 13-week paid internship program.[citation needed]

On April 20, 2013, Patrick B. McGuigan, the Oklahoma City bureau chief for Watchdog.org and editor of CapitolBeatOK, finished third in the annual competition for best reporting portfolio sponsored by the Oklahoma professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.[citation needed] In the category of science, technology, health, and environmental reporting, McGuigan took second place for his news reports on the impact of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on Oklahoma state government.[citation needed] McGuigan also finished second in the commentary category, for “Telling a Story and Giving Thanks – To all those who give a damn,” which reflected on the 2012 election season.[citation needed]

In June, 2013, Watchdog.org’s New Jersey bureau was selected as the state’s top independent online publication by the Society of Professional Journalists.[citation needed] Reporter Mark Lagerkvist won three awards, including two other first prize awards from SPJ for online investigative reporting and as writer of New Jersey’s best independent blog.[citation needed]

Breitbart Awards

In June 2012 the Franklin Center teamed up with the Heritage Foundation to establish the Breitbart Awards.[25][citation needed] The awards honored the life and work of the late Andrew Breitbart who "pioneered a new media revolution that transformed journalism and the political landscape."[26] The 2012 award winners included Washington Examiner journalist Philip Klein, Citizen Journalist Andrew Marcus, and the Ace of Spades blog.[citation needed] Syndicated columnist and Fox News Channel contributor Michelle Malkin took home the honors in 2013.[27]

CPAC 2013

Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity took part in the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington D.C.[citation needed] Erik Telford of the Franklin Center served on a panel discussing "Current trends in technology."[citation needed] During the two-day conference the Franklin Center ran a promotion using an over-sized costume of Ben Franklin meeting and greeting conference participants.[citation needed] Individuals who had their picture taken with the mascot and tweeted the photo received free drink tickets.[28] The promotion won the award for Best CPAC 2013 promotion.[citation needed]

GreenTech Automotive controversy

In December 2012, Virginia Watchdog, a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, began publishing a series of articles that raised questions about GreenTech Automotive and its presumed Chairman, Terry McAuliffe.[citation needed] The investigation exposed the company’s reliance on a controversial fundraising program, EB-5, that has been criticized for its lax oversight and subject to abuse.[citation needed] The investigation also revealed that McAuliffe’s public projections, starting back in 2010, of how many cars would be built and jobs created had not come to fruition.[citation needed] In April 2013, it was revealed that McAuliffe had left the green energy car-maker in December of the previous year.[29]

Green Tech Automotive filed a defamation lawsuit against Franklin Center on April 8, 2013 in a Mississippi court.[30] Franklin Center described the suit as “intimidation” and pledged to continue investigating GTA and McAuliffe.[31][32]

References

  1. ^ "Franklincenterhq.org Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  2. ^ Peters, Justin. "'Serious, point-of-view journalism'?". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  3. ^ McDuffee, Allen (May 21, 2012). "Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center team up for Breitbart awards". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ Sirota, David (August 1, 2014). "Chris Christie Wins Lawsuit to Exempt Himself From New Jersey's Open Records Laws". International Business Times.
  5. ^ McBride, Kelly; Rosensteil, Tom (7-30-2013). The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century. Congressional Quarterly Press. p. 130. ISBN 1483320952. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Enda, Jodi (7-15-2014). "At the statehouse, ideological press tries to fill a void in news coverage". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 11 August 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Mission". Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  8. ^ Stverak, Jason (January 28, 2013). "Presenting the Case for School Choice". Roll Call. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  9. ^ Government-free* nonprofit journalism, asterisk included
  10. ^ Hillyer, Quin (June 2009). "After the Tea Parties". American Spectator. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity IRS Form 990". GuideStar. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  12. ^ Chavkin, Sasha (April 22, 2013). "The Koch brothers' media investment". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  13. ^ Watchdog.org States
  14. ^ PA Independent Welcomed Into State Press Association
  15. ^ "Franklin Center Mission page". Franklincenterhq.org. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  16. ^ "Franklin Center FAQ page". Franklincenterhq.org. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  17. ^ McGann, Laura. "Conservatives have discovered the virtues of investigative journalism. But can their reporting survive their politics?". Washington Monthly. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "Franklin Center aims investigative reporters at states". Washington Examiner. 11-24-2010. Retrieved 11 August 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "IOWA CAPITAL DIGEST". Quad City Times. 5-10-2011. Retrieved 11 August 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Citizen Training. "Watchdog Wire". Franklincenterhq.org. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  21. ^ "Watchdog Wire Website". Watchdogwire.org. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  22. ^ "Watchdog Wire bets that citizen journalists can investigate, too". Ebyline. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  23. ^ "A Grand Experiment in Journalism". Watchdogwire.org. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Cappie Awards". Capitolbeat.wordpress.com. November 16, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  25. ^ Breitbart Awards Dinner: What People Are Saying
  26. ^ Franklin Center President Jason Stverak Announces 2013 Breitbart Award
  27. ^ Michelle Malkin Wins 2013 Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism
  28. ^ "ABC News Live CPAC update". Abcnews.go.com. March 14, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  29. ^ "Terry McAuliffe left car firm in December". Politico.com. April 7, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  30. ^ Fredrick Kunkle (April 12, 2013). "Car company founded by McAuliffe files $85 million suit over Web site articles". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  31. ^ Stverak, Jason (April 14, 2013). "We won't be intimidated". Franklincenterhq.org. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  32. ^ Jason Stverak Blaze Interview
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