government watchdog
noun[C]
GOVERNMENTukusUK
agovernmentorganizationthat makescertainthatcompaniesin aparticularindustryareobeyingthelaw:
Theenergycompanyislikelyto beprosecutedafter aninvestigationbeingcarriedout by thegovernmentwatchdog, theScottishEnvironment Protection Agency.
(USalsogovernment watchdog group);(alsogovernment watchdog organization)
agroupthatwatchestheactivitiesof aparticularpartofgovernmentinordertoreportillegalactsorproblems:
ThedirectorofCommonCause, agovernmentwatchdoggroup, said the court'saction"raisesquestionsoffavoritism."
The Civic Federation, a business-backedgovernmentwatchdog,opposedthebudget.