THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605180278
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
The National Security News Service, which was working with Newsweek magazine to look into questions about Adm. Jeremy ``Mike'' Boorda's Vietnam medals, is a small, young outfit that has quickly become well-known inside the Beltway.
Its goal is to ``increase and improve the major news media's coverage of military, arms control, and international security stories.''
The service was established five years ago, along with its companion, the Natural Resources News Service, said systems manager Margaret Savage. Both are owned by the Public Education Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation.
With a staff of just four correspondents, the National Security News Service describes itself as ``investigative,'' and tends to concentrate on the military and intelligence agencies. Although it is located in downtown Washington, D.C., and is largely unknown outside Washington, several media observers said they are familiar with the service's work and that it has established some credibility.
It also arranges briefings for reporters and editors on national security and military issues.
Through its parent corporation, the service often receives grants from foundations and individual donors, such as one grant from the W. Alton Jones Foundation in May 1994 for $250,000 to promote media coverage of nuclear proliferation, nuclear testing, and related issues. by CNB