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Texas Watchdog-recent stories
Texas Watchdog seeks to be on the leading edge of a national trend toward investigative and enterprise journalism taking place on the Web and outside the traditional newsroom.
We’re launching this service because the owners of newspapers and television news teams have, in too many cases, cut back on investigating government and chipped away at their ability to be a watchdog for the voter and the taxpayer.
Experts may disagree about the many reasons for this, but they agree that newspapers are on the decline nationwide. In 2007, newspaper newsroom staffs fell by 2,400 –- the largest drop in 30 years. And this does not include hundreds more newsroom buyouts and layoffs already imposed in 2008. Dozens of major newspapers have announced staff cuts, including the elimination of long-time investigative reporters and experienced writers.
Furthermore, some studies indicate that reporters who are launching journalism careers don’t have the training they would desire to be watchdogs and to do the digging that is needed for enterprise reporting. Editors say that many journalism school graduates are ill-prepared for the job, and the vast majority of recent graduates –- 82 percent of young journalists in one recent study –- said they needed more training “very much."
We hope to be a resource for reporters seeking those skills, as well as for bloggers who seek to learn more about digging up their own original content. We also want to be a place where residents can learn more about how to make their city halls and school systems more transparent –- and to keep public officials honest. We hope to launch a more fully featured Web site soon.
http://www.texaswatchdog.org/
Surplus refunded to taxpayers under Gov. Rick Perry’s plan
22 views | Libertarian | Jan 29 2013 14:21
22 views | Libertarian | Jan 29 2013 14:21
Texas props up wind, solar with hundreds of millions of dollars per year, lawmakers cautious on more $
21 views | Libertarian | Jan 22 2013 15:50
21 views | Libertarian | Jan 22 2013 15:50
Student sees ‘mark of the beast’ in school’s microchip tracking program, files suit
21 views | Libertarian | Nov 28 2012 20:10
21 views | Libertarian | Nov 28 2012 20:10
TSA’s specialized dog breeding program targeted for elimination
23 views | Libertarian | Nov 19 2012 19:22
23 views | Libertarian | Nov 19 2012 19:22
Texas family services commissioner Howard Baldwin resigns, police investigate alleged cover-up in child abuse case
69 views | Libertarian | Nov 09 2012 18:42
69 views | Libertarian | Nov 09 2012 18:42
Texas Voter Resources: Research candidates, find where to vote
31 views | Libertarian | Nov 05 2012 23:02
31 views | Libertarian | Nov 05 2012 23:02
The $71 million spent planning nonexistent Houston Metro rail line could have been used to pave route in dollar bills
27 views | Libertarian | Sep 10 2012 16:20
27 views | Libertarian | Sep 10 2012 16:20
Texas AG Greg Abbott racks up $2.58 million in taxpayer costs from suing feds since Obama took office
26 views | Libertarian | Sep 10 2012 16:20
26 views | Libertarian | Sep 10 2012 16:20
Under new commissioner Michael Williams, Texas Education Agency refuses to answer simple questions from the public
45 views | Libertarian | Sep 06 2012 11:31
45 views | Libertarian | Sep 06 2012 11:31
CPS Energy awards CEO Doyle Beneby a $410k bonus equal to his annual salary
29 views | Libertarian | Aug 28 2012 22:11
29 views | Libertarian | Aug 28 2012 22:11