Disclosure and Data: Are the Media Up to It?

The new data to be reported and disclosed via the 990 can usher in a new era of transparency for non-profits, but this grand scheme relies in part on the media actually using that data. So far, the track record is not so hot, particularly for traditional media.For example, here we are at the end of another quarter, and fund-raising numbers will be released through the Federal Election Commission. What will local media report? Will they pick up a wire service story on the top 10/50/100 contributors to various campaigns? Or will they click their way through the data so that they can report the top 10/50/100 contributors in their market? (It doesn't take long--I described the process in great detail in the mashups book.)The end-of-quarter data should be out soon, so let's take a look at the 2008 cycle through the end of April. What was going on in Plattsburgh? A total of $22,832 had been raised. At the national level, Hillary Clinton raised $3,300 to Barack Obama's $1,250 and $250 for Bill Richardson.But the candidate action (at least looking at the money) is in the House race. Kirsten Gillibrand raised $800, and challenger Sandy Treadwell weighed in with $8,650. All told, candidates raised $15,320, but PACs (including party committees) raised almost half that again--$7,512.Obviously the numbers are different for each locality--here's where the combination of easily available data and local media can really shine. (And, of course, there's another story--who are the big givers, year after year? Are these the people who really run Plattsburgh?)Gosh, I can't wait to read the Press-Republican's reporting on this topic.