October, 19 2009, 02:12pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Naomi Seligman 202.408.5565
CREW Launches New Online State Watchdog Directory
WASHINGTON
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."
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach.
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