SourceWatch:Purpose

Purpose is a guideline page used on SourceWatch.

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< About SourceWatch

SourceWatch is a free encyclopedia about the people, issues, and groups shaping the public agenda, including activist groups and government agencies but especially public relations firms, front groups, industry-friendly experts and think tanks that try to manipulate public opinion.

What is SourceWatch's role in increasing public scrutiny?

SourceWatch provides open and simple tools to attract public participation in documenting information about the people, companies, and entities attempting to shape public opinion as well as about select public policy issues. With the experience of the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) in researching and writing about spin and propaganda, CMD believes it is vital to a working democracy to increase public scrutiny and public awareness of the people and companies shaping public policy and about these policies as well as disinformation regarding these issues.

Who owns SourceWatch?

The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) is the publisher of SourceWatch. CMD owns the server and domain names related to SourceWatch. The articles in SourceWatch are released by their authors under the GNU Free Documentation License, so the articles are open content. See SourceWatch:Copyrights and SourceWatch:Readers' FAQ for information on how you can use SourceWatch content. (Please note, however, that other publications of CMD, including our PR Watch web site, remain copyrighted property and should not be used without permission.)

Who is responsible for the articles on SourceWatch?

This is a collaborative endeavor. Many people have contributed to different parts of this project, and anyone can do so, including you! All you need to know is How to edit a page. It would also be good to know what you are talking about or to have a passion for the truth about these issues or the public's right to know more about them. You can see who is responsible for the most recent versions of any given page by clicking on the "History" link--be bold in updating pages! If you are uncertain or find the wording confusing, quote the material on the associated talk page and leave a question for the next more knowledgeable reader or editor. This helps eliminate errors, inaccuracies, or misleading wording more quickly and is highly appreciated by the community. Thank you!