Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
From Sunshine Review
| Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity | |
| 501(c)(3) | |
 | |
| Leadership: | Jason Stverak |
| Political party | Nonpartisan |
| Website | Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity |
| Transparency Focus | |
| Investigative reporting | |
Contents |
Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity is a non-profit group dedicated to offering training for investigative reporters and non-profit organizations at the state and local level and to provide them with the expertise and technical support necessary to pursue journalistic endeavors to better the lives of American citizens.
The Franklin Center was founded in January 2009 through a sponsorship grant given by the Sam Adams Alliance.
The group is based on the philosophies of Benjamin Franklin, a printer by trade, who said that “a newspaper in every home” was the “principle support of…morality” in civic life.[1]
“This website embodies the standards of traditional journalism, while incorporating the use of new-media technology and techniques,” said Franklin Center President Jason Stverak. “Our organization aims to provide journalists with the training and the new media tools necessary to ensure transparency in the public sector.”[2]
[edit] New media and technology
The Franklin Center aims to use new technology to advance the cause of transparency in government. Journalists of tomorrow must effectively master this new media in order to do their job of holding government accountable for its actions.
The Franklin Center aims to educate, advise and train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and accurate reporters well-versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity. As there are more than 220 million personal computers in a country of about 300 million people, the Franklin Center takes on the duties that Benjamin Franklin exalted in his philosophy of the importance of news through the written word.[1]
“The support that we provide will help traditional reporters transition into a new age of information availability,” Mr. Stverak said. “The information may be there; but if journalists are not well versed in the latest technology and investigative techniques then we will see a less transparent world around us.”[2]
The group's website provides guides to many investigative tools that every journalist needs to know, including how to make effective Freedom of Information Act requests, computer-assisted reporting resources and database access. In summer of 2009, the new media-meets-journalism training program, Database 101 Computer-Assisted Research and Reporting, which operates through the Heritage Foundation, went to Pittsburgh for the Right Online conference with the Franklin Center.[3]
[edit] Mission
The Franklin Center works promote social welfare and civil betterment by executing programs to promote journalism and the education of the public about corruption, incompetence, fraud, or taxpayer abuse that elected officials commit at all levels of government. Through networking and training independent investigative reporters, as well as journalists from state-based news organizations, public-policy institutions & watchdog groups, the Franklin Center will accomplish these goals.[4]
Non-profit organizations looking to begin or expand journalism programs can contact the Franklin Center. The Franklin Center adheres to the Code of Ethics outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists.[1]
[edit] Research
Of the numerous journalist research projects, education programs and training programs designed to provide the network of investigative reporters and the general public access to information and news, the core is the ability for reporters to network and effectively portray information in the media across the United States.[1]
In providing journalistic resources and investigative reporting, the Franklin Center aims to take well-researched resources through the channels of new media to improve journalism in the nation.[5]
[edit] Donations
Any donations made to the Franklin Center are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)3. The Franklin Center choses to protect the identification of its donors and keeps all contributions anonymous.[1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 About the Franklin Center
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Franklin Center - A New Resource to Safeguard Transparency," New Hampshire Insider, September 18, 2009
- ↑ "Want to know who is Hannah Giles?" Washington Examiner, September 12, 2009
- ↑ Franklin Center mission
- ↑ "Online outfit trains, empowers journalists to scrutinize government," Civil Liberties Examiner, September 17, 2009
