Reporting at the state and local levels has suffered due to economic realities. Time Magazine asked the question “Who Covers the Statehouse?” This may be the most important question asked of the journalism profession in recent history. The American public is demanding transparency of government institutions and the exposition of waste, fraud, abuse and, mismanagement. They want ethics, accountability, and a watchful eye on those who spend their hard earned tax dollars, which includes municipal and county government as well as school boards. By working with non-profit organizations and investigative reporters – providing the necessary training, expertise and technical support – Franklin Center assists in filling this void that has been created by a lack of resources, personnel and training.

We encourage anyone needing advice about starting up a nonprofit journalism group to contact us. We also make ourselves available to reporters looking to advance their skills. Franklin Center has also become a valuable resource for media outlets looking for reporters as we have been inundated with resumes – a sign of the times.

As you have read on our website, the Franklin Center honors and respects the wishes of its numerous supporters and donors and that is why we adhere to a policy of keeping our donors identity confidential. If I may illustrate by quoting John Podesta’s Center for American Progress: “Some donors choose to make public what they are giving us, but other’s don’t, and we respect that.”

Our relationship with state-based groups is simple. Franklin Center and Watchdog.org aggregates and highlights the outstanding reporting by their reporters with a common goal of advocating government transparency. We also serve as a resource for educational and technical support – training journalists to utilize new media to conduct important investigations. It’s amazing how few reporters know how to do a simple FOIA request. This skill is lacking amongst too many professionals. State-based groups understand the importance of keeping government open and honest. That is why they are a great fit for Franklin Center as well as any credible news organization.

As you have witnessed in your research – Franklin Center fully discloses background information about our personnel. It has become common place for journalists to come from the political or policy professions. ABC News can’t hide the fact that the host of their Sunday morning news program and backup anchor to their evening news broadcast, George Stephanopoulos, is a former senior official with the Clinton administration as well as a senior member of his presidential campaigns.

ABC News as well as the Franklin Center shouldn’t be judged by the work history of their staff, but by the content they are producing. We proudly stand by our work and media outlets such as CNN, Associated Press, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal as well as numerous local and state news organizations have recognized the quality of our reporting and shared it with their audience as trustworthy information.

The Franklin Center operates independently from any organization, having received 501 C3 tax status from the Internal Revenue Service in June 2009. At the heart of the Franklin Center’s mission is a belief that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. This can only be accomplished, however, if the journalists of tomorrow can effectively master this new media. The Franklin Center aims to educate, to advise and to train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and responsible reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity.

Government transparency and accountability is not a conservative nor liberal idea: it is an AMERICAN idea and one that is needed and welcomed by millions of Americans of all political persuasions. As a credible news organization we adhere to the Code of Ethics outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists. Our obligation is to that code and most importantly, the public, which relies upon us and every journalist across the nation to provide them real information so they can make an educated decision or form an honest opinion. We are happy to help citizens, organizations and professional journalists achieve this goal.

Contact the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity

547 S. 7th St. #176
Bismarck, ND 58504

Office Phone: 701-214-5612

Email: info@FranklinCenterHQ.org