Funding was previously provided by a CMPA board member who wanted the site to provide news analysis for the general public. We figured out it is a lot harder to reach ordinary news consumers on the Net than we thought. The site attracted journalists and media mavens, but not the volume of ordinary consumers that was desired by Paul Mongerson, the board member who had funded the operation. A lot of what is commonly described as 'media criticism' is nothing of the sort. It's simply reporting on events and controversies and business developments in the media.
Media criticism means an examination and an explication of the pursuit and presentation of truth.
Butterworth says most people don't understand how the press goes about its business, and how stories are developed. Newswatch.org launched in February 1999, with a redesign appearing last fall.