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A watchdog media is essential in preventing waste, fraud, favoritism and abuse in government. People tend to behave differently when they know they’re being watched. Here are some values a watchdog media outlet should have.
Candor is a Mackinac Center value. We believe that “our work is enhanced when others review it,” to quote our statement of values. In that vein, we believe politicians and reporters both benefit when media are skeptical.
Better government results from watchdogs, not lap dogs.
“If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out,” cub reporters have been told for decades.
The point is to take nothing at face value. Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Don’t “remember.” Find out. Seek independent verification of any fact. Don’t take anyone’s word for it.
Don’t pick and choose which side carries truth and which side tells lies. Be skeptical toward anyone speaking from a government podium or spending taxpayer money.
Legislators in Florida introduced a bill to strengthen parental rights in education. Critics labeled it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. That was catchy, so the media started using “Don’t Say Gay,” too.
Just one problem: The four-page bill never said the word “gay” or banned anyone from saying it. The spin and the criticism of the bill was entirely divorced from the text of the bill itself.
When Floridians finally read the bill, they realized the media had lied to them. Lying to the public does not build trust.
News reporters will quote critics and activists, and they should. But first they should quote from the bill itself – and link to it, so people can read it themselves. The news is meant to print truth, not spin.
A reporter who writes about a document should link to it, or post a screenshot of the relevant section.
In the CapCon Guide to Congress, released in February, we showed readers, step-by-step, how to find their representatives in Congress and how to find out what they’re doing.
What does your representative talk about on the House floor or introduce as legislation? What does your representative do while in Washington?
At CapCon we don’t just want to build readers or whip up outrage. We want our readers to become engaged citizens.
