News

According to Bob Moser, executive editor of The American Prospect, democracy suffered a blow in the 2012 election, due to big money and voter suppression. In a special report supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Moser argues that the enormous influence and amount of money spent on campaigns and attempts to disenfranchise populations of voters across the country, contributed to the failure of American democracy.

The tobacco industry contributed nearly $54 million to state-level candidates, political parties, and ballot measure campaigns leading up to the 2012 elections, according to a new report, published by the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

Barack Obama has overtaken Mitt Romney in advertising in 14 of the top 15 media markets in the country, according to analysis recently released by the Wesleyan Media Project, an RBF grantee. The report also examines the tone in advertising by the favored candidate during presidential election campaigns since 2000.

Seventy percent of the 2012 primary ads aired on television were negative, according to analysis released by the Wesleyan Media Project, an RBF grantee. In 2008, only nine percent were negative during the same part of the election cycle. The surge of negative ads correlates to the rise in the number of ads sponsored by interest groups; in 2008, 97 percent of ads came from candidates, while this year, 60 percent were sponsored by super PACs.

Civic Engagement: The Next Chapter sheds light on the critical role human service organizations play in strengthening democracy in the United States by developing and supporting an engaged and active citizenry. The report was released by the Alliance for Children and Families, an RBF grantee, and its sister organization United Neighborhood Centers of America.

The Center for Political Accountability has reached a major milestone, as 100 companies have committed to its framework for political transparency and accountability. During this 2012 proxy season, 12 additional companies have adopted corporate disclosure of political spending, including Halliburton, one of the country's largest oil field service companies, and supermarket chain Safeway.

The Investigative News Network (INN) has been granted nonprofit 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. INN's new tax status will allow the organization to receive support directly from foundations and other donors, making it easier for the organization to help its member news organizations in producing and distributing reliable investigative and public service reporting.

Shareholders want to know where corporations are spending their political dollars, according to a new report released by corporate watchdog groups. In an interview on National Public Radio's Morning Edition on February 28, 2012, Bruce Freed, president of the Center for Political Accountability (CPA), said investors need to understand the risks of corporate spending in politics.

Not long ago, Nezir Sinani was working for a state-owned power company in Kosovo. As he learned about the detrimental effects of coal on human health and the environment, he decided to make a change. Now, Mr. Sinani is advancing clean energy solutions in Kosovo with RBF grantee the Institute for Development Policy.

RBF grantees the Center for Investigative Reporting, Inc. and Crisis Action, Inc. are among 15 recipients of this year's MacArthur Awards for Creative and Effective Institutions. Both organizations were recognized for demonstrating outstanding innovation and efficacy, with great potential to continue effecting change in the future.