What is a watchdog? ___A watchdog is an individual or group (generally non-profit) that keeps an eye on a particular entity or a particular element of community concern, and warns members of the community when potential or actual problems arise ___A watchdog may operate on the local, state, federal, or global level, and may deal with any issue or range of issues ___You can decide what kind of watchdog to be by considering: Your resources Your philosophy of activism What or whom you’re watching Whether you have opponents and who they are Your goals Whether you’re the best individual or organization to take action What are the areas you might choose to monitor? ___Government ___Corporations and business ___Media ___The environment ___Human rights ___Hate groups ___American freedoms and civil rights ___Public safety ___Consumer affairs ___The general public good Why act as a watchdog? ___Self-interest ___To defend those with little political or economic power, and help them learn how to gain and use that power ___To keep citizens aware of what is happening in their community and their world ___To maintain power in the hands of the community, rather than of those who have money or power or connections ___To prevent bad consequences that could cost the community economically or socially ___To promote social justice and social change ___To maintain democratic ideals ___Simple justice Who can act as a watchdog? ___Agencies or organizations concerned with a particular issue ___People affected by an issue or condition, or organizations that represent them ___Professional organizations ___Organizations that represent the general public interest ___Agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned with the economic consequences of policies, practices, and actions ___Those who are members of minority groups or represent minority interests, and want to make sure they aren’t discriminated against, and that their concerns aren’t ignored or forgotten ___Those concerned with the maintenance of democratic ideals When should you act as a watchdog? ___When you’re seeking to institute or change laws or regulations ___When a new project or venture is starting or about to start, and you have doubts about its impact ___When you believe the public interest is threatened ___When an entity or individual – government or a government official, a corporation or industry, a police department, a human service program, etc. – has proven untrustworthy in the past ___When you receive information about actual, planned, or likely harmful or questionable actions or practices ___When democracy is actually or potentially under attack ___When simple justice demands it How do you act as a watchdog? ___Do your research: Learn everything you need to know to be able to explain and discuss the background and history of the issue(s), situation(s), and entities that you’re concerned with Gather the facts about the current state of the issue, and/or about the current policies and practices of the entities you’re concerned with Build a network and cultivate sources ___Decide what you’re going to do with the information you have: Nothing Go public Use it as leverage Take official action ___Keep up your watchdog stance for the long term
