George Soros going far, big and revolutionary...

“A strong democracy requires a diverse, independent, and highly functioning watchdog press to help people hold the government and private sector accountable,” said Ann Beeson, executive director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Foundations. “The dramatic decline in news coverage at the state level has left millions of people significantly less informed about what is happening in their own backyards. We are confident that NPR, its member stations, and partners can help fill that void with much needed in-depth and analytical reporting for communities of every size in every corner of the country.” 

NPR’s new project, called Impact of Government, will build on the best of local and state reporting at nearly 800 NPR member stations across the country – adding reporters, editors, and analysts in every state. It significantly augments the work of existing public radio reporters that cover the statehouse and related issues – ultimately adding at least 100 journalists to strengthen public radio’s service to local communities with reporting on-air and online.

“NPR and our member stations are better positioned than any other news network to look at the effect that state government has on local communities,” said Vivian Schiller, NPR president and CEO. “This initiative will provide the public not just with information, but with the context they need to hold local governments to a higher level of accountability. Our network provides a perfect vehicle for cross-state, cross-region, and national analyses of the most critical issues facing our country.”

Source: Soros.org, NPR