979
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
SW: Update
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.<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 the websites funded by the Franklin Center 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. <ref>Wisconsin Reporter. [http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/wisconsin-democrats-threaten-wisconsin-reporter Wisconsin Democrats Threaten Wisconsin Reporter]. News website. Accessed August 19,2011.</ref>
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.'<ref>The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. [http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6d195a77b46a877ab2b3a62b1&id=aae9b36e46&e= BREAKING: Poll Shows 71% of Wiscosnites Think Walker's Budget Changes are "Fair"] Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> The suspiciously high percentage caused some to question the source of the poll.<ref>Talking Points Memo. [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/group_pushing_the_group_behind_the_conservative_poll_of_walkers_budget_plan_wisconsin_poll_has_gop_ba.php The Conservative Group Behind The Poll of Walker's Budget Plan]. News website. Accessed August 19, 2011. </ref>
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?”<ref>The Poytner Institute. [http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/141113/editor-opportunistic-conservatives-are-behind-wisconsinreporter-com/ Editor: ‘Opportunistic conservatives’ are behind WisconsinReporter.com]. Organizational website. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref>
===Funding===
