Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Why a Computer-Assisted Research and Reporting (CARR) Program at The Heritage Foundation?

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that limited without danger of losing it.” – Thomas Jefferson

Journalists sometimes ask why The Heritage Foundation's Center for Media and Public Policy established its Computer-Assisted Research and Reporting (CARR) program in October 1999. There are three basic principles underlying the Heritage CARR program:

• Heritage believes CARR is among the milestones in the journalism profession’s development. This is because CARR provides the tools to move journalism from what is often anecdote and secondary source-based reporting on public policy issues to a data-driven approach that includes significant original research. As a result, public understanding of complex public policy debates and proposals can be greatly enhanced by the more widespread use of CARR techniques in print, digital and broadcast newsrooms. Heritage believes CARR skills should be required skills for all journalists and bloggers covering public policy issues. 
  
  
• Heritage believes the policymaking process can also be improved when more and better data are available to policy-makers. This is why Heritage has since 1996 invested heavily in its Center for Data Analysis. The primary mission of CDA from its inception has been to provide Members of Congress and the Executive Branch on both sides of the aisle with independent, methodologically transparent and peer-reviewed analyses of public policy proposals. Making these same analytical capabilities available to journalists represents a logical step in leveraging Heritage investment in CDA.
  
  
• Heritage believes the public has the right to know how its business is being conducted in government. As a result, Heritage enthusiastically supports efforts to put billions of dollars worth of government procurements on the Internet and other efforts to increase transparency in government operations. Encouraging and facilitating CARR will enhance the ability of journalists to perform their constitutionally protected role as independent watchdogs on government