Kansas Watchdog

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Kansas Watchdog, formerly "Kansas Reporter," is a Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity "Watchdog Bureau."[1] It was founded by the Kansas Policy Institute, a member of the State Policy Network. The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states.[2] Despite their non-partisan description, many of the websites funded by the Franklin Center have received criticism for their conservative bias.[3][4] On its website, the Franklin Center clams that it "provides 10 percent of all daily reporting from state capitals nationwide." [5]

Funding

The Franklin Center was launched by the Chicago-based Sam Adams Alliance (SAM),[6] a 501(c)(3) devoted to pushing free-market ideals. SAM gets funding from the State Policy Network,[7] which is partially funded by rhe Claude R. Lambe Foundation.[8] Charles Koch, one of the billionaire brothers who co-own Koch Industries, sits on the board of this foundation.[9] SAM also receives funding from the Rodney Fund. The Franklin Center also receives funding from the Wisconsin-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation,[10] a conservative grant-making organization.[11]

Resources and Articles

Related SourceWatch Articles

Related PRWatch Articles

References

  1. Franklin Center, Watchdog.org, organizational document, May 2013, obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy June 2013.
  2. Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, Think tank Journalism: The Future of Investigative Journalism, organizational website, accessed August 19, 2011.
  3. Rebekah Metzler, 'Watchdog' website puts a new spin on politics', The Portland Press Herald, October 2, 2010.
  4. Allison Kilkenny, The Koch Spider Web, Truthout, August 4, 2011.
  5. Sara Jerving, Franklin Center: Right-Wing Funds State News Source, PRWatch.org, October 27, 2011.
  6. Sam Adams Alliance, Sam Adams Alliance Media Kit (link changed by organization), organizational PDF, accessed August 19, 2011.
  7. Media Matters Action Network, Sam Adams Alliance, organizational website, accessed August 19, 2011.
  8. Media Matters Action Network, State Policy Network, organizational website, accessed August 19, 2011.
  9. Media Matters Action Network, Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation, organizational website, accessed August 19, 2011.
  10. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Franklin Center boss wants apology from Democratic staffer. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011.
  11. The Bradley Foundation. The Bradley Foundation. Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.
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