Changes

The '''Wisconsin Reporter''' is an online state news website funded by the [[Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity]]. The site launched in January 2011 as a division of StateHouseNews.<ref>Wisconsin Reporter. [http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/about-2 About]. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states. Despite the centers claims that it is a nonpartisan organization, the group has received criticism of its conservative bias. . <ref>The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. [http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2376/think-tank-journalism-the-future-of-investigative-reporting/ Think tank Journalism: The Future of Investigative Journalism]. Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> Despite their non-partisan description, many of these websites have received criticism for their conservative bias.<ref>The Portland Press Herald. [http://www.pressherald.com/news/watchdog-website-puts-a-new-spin-on-politics_2010-10-02.html 'Watchdog' website puts a new spin on politics']. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011. </ref><ref>Truthout. [http://www.truth-out.org/koch-spider-web/1312231636 The Koch Spider Web]. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011. </ref> In August 2011, the Wisconsin Reporter was accused by State Democratic Party Spokesperson Graeme Zielinski of using off-record comments, butchering quotes and not correcting the record when it was called to its attention. The questionable quotation came from Zielinski as a response to Governor [[Scott Walker]]’s claim that the state had added more than half of the jobs created in the nation in June 2011. The article had supported this claim, but not the statement from the Democratic spokesperson.  In February 2011, the outlet supported a poll that claimed 71% of Wisconsin residents thought Walker's budget proposal to cut the collective bargaining rights of most of the state's public sector workers was 'fair.' The high percentage caused some to question the source of the poll.  As part of the application process to land a job at the Wisconsin Reporter, applicants must answer questions like: “How do free markets help the poor?” and “do higher taxes lead to balanced budgets?”  ===Staff===