This statement indicates how the Cato Institute is described by journalists when they are been quoted. Journalists when conducting their interviews or hosting talk shows where the Cato Institute policy scholars are present, like to quote them as been liberal. This shows the public that they are dealing with a person whose opinions will be liberal and therefore, conservative people may not agree with them. Giving this introduction helps clear things up initially and advises the listener or reader in advance.
Introducing the Cato Institute policy scholars as libertarian, demonstrates to the listeners that the organization is liberal and will always advocate for liberalism in the United States and across the world. The organization is also referred to as been liberal and not just the scholars. The organization is quoted as an organization that is liberal and is always advocating for limited governments, free markets, peace and individual liberty. The journalists promote the organizations policies whenever they reference the organization in this manner. This referencing creates more awareness for people who would want to be associated and support the organization.
Reliability of the organizations information
The organization is relied upon for information because they always maintain their liberal approach, and they push for liberalism in all their undertakings. The organization is well recognized, and its objectives are widely known and accepted by journalists and other politicians. Their policies are always geared towards the good of the society and not an individual party or group. This makes the organization trustworthy in the sources they provide. Since the organization does not receive any funding from the government, the information it provides is not biased in any way, nor affiliated with any particular political group or party. Lack of these affiliations makes the organization more trustworthy in the research they conduct, and how they disseminate the information.
The organization can be relied upon because its policy scholars uphold the organizations policies, and promote these policies always. The policy scholars are people who believe in liberalism themselves, and this makes it difficult for them to be swayed or agree to anything they do not believe. The organization not only promotes these policies in the United States, but does so to for other countries in the world.
They demonstrate this in the findings they publish, publications they write, and in the press briefings they hold. The facts and information the organization provides to the media is liberal and advocates for liberalism. The organization participates in research that affect public policy and they attempt to provide correct information as much as possible. Once this information has been provided, the policy scholars will interpret their findings and give their recommendations though they may portray their liberalism Weidenbaum, 2010.
Promoting the organizations policies is the ultimate goal for any research conducted by the policy scholars, they will always endeavor to conduct their research based on public policy that will allow them to push for the organizations liberalism.
The journalist should use the organization as unbiased reliable source of information that seeks to promote limited government, individual liberty, and free markets. When using the organization for research, journalist should always bear in mind that the views of the organization are of a liberal nature, and it is advisable for them to research another viewpoint to understand the whole story. Journalist should not blindly accept the information provided by the organization. This is because the information may be biased towards liberalism and might not be indicative of the whole scenario. Using the information from the organization should come with a caveat, to ensure that the journalist is not attacked for writing on views biased towards liberals.
References
Ayodele, T., Cudjoe, F., Nolutshungu, T.A., & Sunwabe, C.K. (2007). Cato Institute. [Article]. Congressional Digest, 86(7), 203-213.
Institute, C. (2012). Does the Middle East Need U.S. Aid? Implications for Israeli Security and Prosperity, from http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=9178
O'Toole, R. (2012). Committee on House Transportation and Infrastructure, from http://republicans.transportation.house.gov/Media/file/TestimonyFull/2012-09-20-O%27Toole.pdf
Radio, N.P. (2012). Was Romney Right on Video Comments?, from http://www.npr.org/2012/09/21/161545497/was-romney-right-on-video-comments
Weidenbaum, M. (2010). Measuring the Influence of Think Tanks. [Article]. Society, 47(2), 134-137. doi: 10.1007/s12115-009-9292-8
