Another leftist media propaganda site? Via NewsBusters.org
Yet, I’ve dug even deeper…Please continue reading…
-What:
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that will produce investigative journalism in the public interest. Our work will focus exclusively on truly important stories, stories with “moral force.” We will do this by producing journalism that shines a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong and on the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them.-Why:
Investigative journalism is at risk. Many news organizations have increasingly come to see it as a luxury. [Read Article] Today’s investigative reporters lack resources: Time and budget constraints are curbing the ability of journalists not specifically designated “investigative” to do this kind of reporting in addition their regular beats. This is therefore a moment when new models are necessary to carry forward some of the great work of journalism in the public interest that is such an integral part of self-government, and thus an important bulwark of our democracy.-Who:
ProPublica will be led by Paul Steiger, the former managing editor of The Wall Street Journal . Lead funding for this effort is being provided by the Sandler Foundation, with Herbert Sandler serving as Chairman of ProPublica; other leading philanthropies also providing important support. A Board of Directors is in formation; a journalistic Advisory Board will be formed in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Donations in 2006
Mr. and Ms. Sandler, who are in their 70s, gave 17,422,751 shares of Golden West Financial Corporation stock worth $1.3-billion to their Sandler Family Supporting Foundation, in San Francisco, of which Ms. Sandler serves as president.
The Sandlers declined to disclose how the money will be used, but in the past the couple has supported asthma and malaria research, as well as research to develop a treatment for Chagas disease, an insect-borne illness found in South America. The couple has also donated money to human-rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch[emphasis mine].
Many relatives of 9/11 victims had denounced the International Freedom Center plan as an insult to the 2,749 people who died at the WTC, because it would paint them as a little more than a footnote to the world’s march toward freedom. The families, police, and firefighters said that the IFC’s plan to use hallowed land at Ground Zero to highlight poverty as a barrier to freedom diminishes the events of 9/11. It has also been disparagingly compared to comedian Bill Maher’s suggestion immediately after 9/11 that reconstruction should include a “Why They Hate Us Pavilion”.
Investors Business Daily is also skeptical:
After all, MoveOn.org is now discredited after it tried to smear Gen. David Petraeus in a Sept. 10 New York Times ad and is probably of limited use to power players now. Suddenly, ProPublica goes online at the beginning of a campaign cycle, and we’re supposed to believe its only aim is to save investigative reporting?
From the ProPublica site: The Sandler Foundation has made a major, multi-year commitment to fund ProPublica. Other philanthropic contributions are being sought ahead of announcing the entity, and still others will be solicited thereafter. Activists groups funded by The Sandler Foundation also include Oceana, The Tides Foundation, which is funded by Media Matters, which is funded and supported by Center For American Progress and Moveon.org, ACORN (which has links to Social Policy:
For over 30 years, Social Policy has served as key site for intellectual exchange among progressive academics and activists from across the United States and beyond, including: Frances Fox Piven, Jonathan Kozol, Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Ivan Illich, Stanley Aronowitz, Michael Lerner, Gloria Steinem, and many more.
ProPublica intends to distribute its work for free and will aggressively spread its influence through “regularly contacting reporters, editors and bloggers,” the site says.
Is ProPublica going to be fair and balanced?
Not likely…
Trackposted to The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Woman Honor Thyself, Perri Nelson’s Website, Adam’s Blog, Stix Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, and The Bullwinkle Blog, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe
