ProPublica Reporting Network
This blog is the homepage for ProPublica's Reporting Network, our citizen journalism initiative. Here we'll discuss our collaborative reporting projects. Amanda Michel is the contact.
Where the Game’s At: Super Bowl Blitz
We’re almost finished dialing Louisiana, Florida and Indiana. If you’ve got an extra five minutes, please help us finish the calls. Phone numbers, call-in instructions and a member directory are available here on our Super Bowl Blitz project page.
Where are the Wolverines?
Juliana Keeping, a reporter for AnnArbor.com out of Michigan, is getting us answers from Senators Levin and Stabenow and Rep. Dingell this a.m.. Any takers for the rest of Michigan?
Hear Our Reporters Interviewed About Our Super Bowl Blitz
If you’re curious about the ProPublica Super Bowl Blitz and want to know more about it, listen to these interviews to see how you can help.
Later today, reporter Marcus Stern will be on KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” show to discuss why we started the project and what we’re looking for. He’ll be on at 4:40 p.m. Eastern/1:40 p.m. Pacific, and you can listen to him here.
And last Friday, Editor of Distributed Reporting Amanda Michel was on WNYC’s “Brian Lehrer Show” explaining how you can contact your own members of Congress to find out if they’re going to the Super Bowl this year or went last year.
Finishing up the Buckeye State
Laura Bishoff of Dayton Daily News and Jack Torry of the Columbus Dispatch are picking up where Laura Marsan, a registered nurse in Columbus, left off. One of the members they’ll dial is Rep. John Boehner, the House Minority Leader. Any guesses on whether Boehner’s planning to hit up the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl Blitz: What You Should Do When Congressmen Give Vague Answers
As many of you participating in our Super Bowl Blitz have quickly found out, not all answers to the question “Is the congressman going to the Super Bowl this year?” are equal. We’ve gotten a slew of inconclusive replies that demand further questions. Like: “The congressman isn’t planning on attending the Super Bowl.” Or: “His personal schedule is not your business.” And your least favorite: “Why do you need to know?”
Save for putting the congressman on the stand and under oath, there’s no surefire way to get a definite response—and even that’s not a done deal. Remember former President Bill Clinton’s response, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is”? Even so, there are a few responses that may get you closer to the answer.
Which Congressmen Are Getting Super Bowl Perks?
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