Center for Public Integrity

Center for Public Integrity
source
Name	Center for Public Integrity
Founded	March 1989
Founder	Charles Lewis
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Key people	Susan Smith Richardson (CEO)
Focus	Investigative journalism, Government accountability
Revenue	Grants, donations

Center for Public Integrity is a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news organization based in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1989 by former CBS News and ABC News producer Charles Lewis, it is dedicated to producing original, responsible investigative journalism on issues of public concern. Its work focuses extensively on transparency and accountability in government, corporate power, and issues of health, environment, and national security. The organization's findings are published on its website and distributed through partnerships with major media outlets globally.

History

The organization was established in 1989 by Charles Lewis, who left a successful career in broadcast journalism to create an independent entity free from commercial pressures. Its early years were marked by foundational investigations into political finance and congressional ethics, establishing its reputation for rigorous, data-driven reporting. A significant early project was "The Public i," a newsletter detailing money in American politics. In 1996, it launched the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a global network that would later produce landmark investigations like the Panama Papers and the Pandora Papers. The organization weathered financial challenges in the late 2000s but was revitalized under the leadership of editors like Bill Buzenberg and later John Dunbar.

Organization and funding

The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is governed by a board of directors comprising journalists, academics, and former public officials. Its funding comes from a mix of foundation grants, individual donations, and occasional support from media organizations. Major historical funders have included the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Knight Foundation. It maintains editorial independence through its nonprofit structure, with a staff of reporters, data journalists, and researchers. The affiliated International Consortium of Investigative Journalists operates as a distinct but closely aligned project, coordinating cross-border reporting efforts.

Notable investigations and impact

The organization has produced numerous high-impact investigations that have prompted legislative reforms, regulatory actions, and widespread public debate. Its "The Buying of the President" series meticulously tracked special-interest funding in U.S. presidential elections. A major investigation into the asbestos industry, "Dangers in the Dust," won significant acclaim and influenced policy discussions. Through the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, it was pivotal in the global Panama Papers and Pandora Papers exposés, which revealed offshore financial secrets of world leaders and billionaires, leading to political resignations and investigations worldwide. Other notable work includes probing contracting abuses during the Iraq War, the influence of the gun lobby via the "Hidden Influence" project, and systemic failures in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Awards and recognition

The organization has received widespread acclaim, winning virtually every major award in American journalism. It has been awarded the George Polk Award on multiple occasions, including for its work on the Panama Papers. It received the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in 2014 for a series on the black market in prescription drugs. Other honors include the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, and the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award. The work of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has also garnered international prizes, including the María Moors Cabot Prize and recognition from the British Journalism Awards.

Criticism and controversies

Like many investigative outlets, it has faced criticism, primarily from subjects of its reporting and political partisans. Some conservative commentators and organizations, such as the Media Research Center, have accused it of having a liberal bias, claims its leadership has consistently denied by pointing to its nonpartisan charter and funding from across the ideological spectrum. It has also faced scrutiny over its funding sources, with some critics questioning the influence of large philanthropic foundations on its editorial agenda, though it maintains strict firewalls between donors and newsroom operations. Internally, it has navigated challenges common to nonprofit news, including financial sustainability and staff turnover during periods of restructuring.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Investigative journalism organizations