WASHINGTON - October 19 - Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) launched a new directory of state-based good government groups to assist activists and journalists in holding public officials accountable for abusing the public trust. The guide, Directory of State-based Government Watchdogs, lists organizations focusing on state and local government in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The directory can be found online at statewatchdoggroups.org.

State-based organizations are fighting corruption by exposing the unethical and illegal activities of state and local officials, by educating the public and by working for government reform. The 213 groups listed in the directory have different missions, but share common goals including: civic education, campaign finance reform, election reform, and transparency.

The directory is made up of profiles of watchdog efforts in each state that include: examples of corruption in the state, a list of watchdog organizations that recites each group's mission and contact information, and links to news sources and blogs tracking state and local government.

Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said today, "Americans lose faith in government when officials are not held accountable for their misconduct. For the first time, citizens will have access to a comprehensive directory of organizations across the country working to keep public officials honest."

Click here to browse the directory.