MAOS

MAOS is an independent investigative journalism newsroom. Our work will focus on truly important stories; stories of public interest having "moral clarity." We will shine a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong and on the failures of those in power. Chaz Stevens is founder and publisher of MAOS. Voted the 2010 New Times Broward Palm Beach Activist of the Year, Chaz’s political muckraking has led to the jailing of three local politicians.

The New Media

Brooks is not the first to be punished for his use of social media. According to the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, blogger Chaz Stevens was issued a “cease-and-desist” legal notice from the Florida city of Lauderdale Lakes in February for his critical coverage of the city’s government.

- Lynn Romero, Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas

Chaz Stevens is the face of the new media. Stevens, with no experience in journalism listed on his biography, has brought Deerfield Beach City Hall to its knees. He is the new version of a city hall gadfly– electronically empowered, fighting the power structure with bits and bytes.

- Buddy Nevins, Broward Beat

Once upon a time, activists and gadflies could be laughed off by politicians. No more. With the reach and permanence of the Internet on their side, activists can investigate wrongdoing and post damning documents on self-published blogs. In Deerfield Beach, activist Chaz Stevens has been a one-man wrecking crew with his My Acts of Sedition blog, which helped snag [Sylvia] Poitier and former commissioner Steve Gonot, who awaits trial on theft charges.

- Michael Mayo, Sun-Sentinel

Prosecutors secretly admire him. Defense attorneys openly loathe him. And followers of Broward County politics can’t seem to get enough of him. Since launching his tech-savvy anti-corruption crusade in 2007, Chaz Stevens noted citizen activist recognized by the community for using email blasts and his personal blog site, My Acts of Sedition, to keep politicians honest.

- Dan Chang, Miami Herald

My former colleague Buddy Nevins today writes about the perfect illustration – an independent blogger in Deerfield Beach, Fla., whose work has led to three indictments of sitting city officials. (Which is, um, three more than my old city-desk staff managed during my tenure.) Particularly noteworthy: I doubt that Chaz Stevens would fit your definition of “journalist.” Heck, he might not even accept the title if you offered it to him.

- Tom Davidson, Tribune Newspapers

Stevens is perhaps the most vocal activist I’ve seen during 23 years of covering news in South Florida. In taking on Poitier, he was facing off with a grand dame of Broward politics, given that she previously served as a county commissioner.

- Kevin Gale, South Florida Business Times

Fresh off her victory in last week’s City Commission election, Sylvia Poitier is aiming to take on her No. 1 nemesis — blogger and activist Chaz Stevens — if only she can get someone to foot the legal bills for suing him. Stevens offered the first $250 for her fund.

- Larry Barszewski, Sun-Sentinel

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Aletheia Drakos,  Anita Fain Taylor,  AssBaggery,  Assless chaps,  Barrington Russell,  Bob Norman,  Broward County,  Broward OIG,  BSO Contract,  Cedric Thomas,  Chaz Stevens,  City Manager Jonathan Allen,  City of Lauderdale Lakes,  CRA,  DBHA,  Deerfield Beach,  Eric Haynes,  Fane Lozman,  Financial Despair,  Hallandale Beach,  Jim Brady,  Jon Allen,  Jonathan Allen,  Joy Cooper,  Kenny Hobbs,  Larry Deetjen,  Larry Tibbs,  Lauderdale Lakes,  Lauderhill,  Laurent Thibault,  Lori Parish,  MAOS Prison Collection Line,  Marie Elianor,  NFBPA,  OIG,  Pamela Ryan,  PRR,  PussTard,  Riviera Beach,  SAO,  SAO Complaint,  Steve Gonot,  Sylvia Poitier,  Timothy Donnelly,  WPEC