Cato Institute Journalism Source/Content Analysis

Cato Institute

Journalism Source/Content Analysis

Purpose of the organization

The Cato institute is an organization that deals with public policy research. The organization dedicates itself to the principles of free markets, peace, limited government, and individual liberty. Cato institute conducts nonpartisan research on a variety of policy issues. The research is always independent. The organization was founded in 1977, and its name was derived from Cato's letters Ayodele, Cudjoe, Nolutshungu, & Sunwabe, 2007.

The letters were published in the 18th century England, as a series of essays. Cato's mission is increasing the public understanding of policies that are based on the limited government, individual liberty, peace, and free market principles. The letters in essay format presented a society free of excessive government power. The essays inspired the American Revolution architects.

The organization makes use of the most effective ways to advocate, originate, disseminate, and promote applicable policy proposals which create open, free, and civil societies in the United States and across the world.

Cato Institute does not back any political candidate, lobby for any efforts, or directly engage in political activities. It is neither associated with any political party or organization. The organization endears to analysing realistically public policy impacts, both negative and positive. The organizations endeavors to reduce political societies while increasing civil societies.

The Cato Institute does not accept any funding from government. It receives funding from corporations, foundations and selling of its books and publications, the remainder is received from individual contributions which are tax-deductible and this accounts for 80%.

Some of the prominent people who work for the organization include Daniel J. Mitchell who is a Senior Fellow, Randal O'Toole Senior Fellow, Mark a. Calabria Director of Financial Regulation Studies, Michael Tanner Senior Fellow, Ian Vasquez Center for Global Liberty Director, and Michael Cannon Health Policy Studies Director.

Media use of information from the institution

People from this organization are quoted in approximately 89 articles, and transcripts. Majority of the people who work in the organization are quoted in public policy topics, which range from the current presidential campaigns taking place, issues arising from what the presidential campaigners are promising to the tax payers, healthcare policy debates, financial institutions, the impact of unemployment rates to the current presidential campaigns, transportation matters especially relating to the high cost of intercity transport, effects of providing financial aid, and energy policies. The policy scholars tackle all these topics and conduct research, before they publish their findings for the use of educating the civil societies.

The institution's staff advocate for libertarian positions. The policy scholars speak about public policies, but they always encourage citizens to be liberal in their approaches to these policies. They provide the people with the relevant information that they have gathered from their research. The scholars provide detailed explanations of their research and analysis of their findings. Reading through the articles published and the interviews conducted regarding the articles, it is clear that Cato Institute policy scholars always maintain a libertarian approach. The scholars conduct their research, and when they present their findings, they do not advocate for liberalism, they always sway towards encouraging people to be liberal. This is because the organization's mission is to promote a free, and open civil society. "I would urge this committee to support privatization of Amtrak, and to do so in the context of a broader effort to end federal subsidies to and unfair taxation of all forms of transportation." Randal O'Toole, Senior Fellow Cato Institute O'Toole, 2012()

The media uses the information from the organization to conduct interviews and hold talk shows, which invite people, to call in and ask questions. The panelists might comprise of Cato Institute policy scholars, but it is not mandatory. "Does the Middle East need U.S. aid? Implications for Israeli security and prosperity" News briefing held by Cato Institute, 2012.

This press briefing comprised of Cato Institute policy scholars and other independent think tank founder in Israel. The press briefing was to inform the general public on the effects of foreign aid to the Israelis and other Middle East countries. The panelists used diagrams and other graphical representations to illustrate their position. They were all advocating for a conservative approach indicating that foreign aid was hurting the receiving country's economic development. This goes to show that the Cato Institute does advocate for limited government and individual liberty.

"That's a libertarian think tank that advocates for limited government." Michel Martin, host of Tell Me More Radio, 2012.

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.