Events and Training » Events » 2013 Lansing Watchdog Workshop

Events and Training

2013 Lansing Watchdog Workshop

Hosted by: Michigan State University School of Journalism in conjunction with the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association and the SPJ Mid-Michigan Pro Chapter

IRE is bringing its highly rated Watchdog Workshop to Lansing.

This training will offer several of our core sessions that will improve your ability to find information on the Web quickly, and point you to key documents and data that will help you add depth to your daily work and produce quick-hit enterprise stories.  In addition, this workshop will give you tips on bulletproofing stories, digging deeper on the Web with social media, search engines and much more.  

These sessions are designed for reporters, editors, and producers from small, midsize and large publications, TV, radio stations, Web-only news sites and news blogs. Freelancers, students and journalism educators are also encouraged to attend.  Join IRE's experienced trainers and a group of veteran reporters for our Watchdog Workshop Saturday, April 13.

Expected speakers include: Jane Briggs-Bunting, Michigan Coalition for Open Government; Jeff Gottlieb, Los Angeles Times; Robin Luce-Herrmann, Butzel Long; Megan Luther, IRE; and Phil Williams, WTVF-Nashville.

Get the tools and the tricks of the trade that you need to be a better, faster, watchdog journalist.  

Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training

Sunday, April 14, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel, a powerful electronic spreadsheet for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries, election data and more.  Also, learn how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.  Class size is limited; register early to reserve a seat on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Parking

Parking is available in the adjacent parking structure or the surrounding surface lots. 

Workshop Fees

$55 Professional

$25 Student

$30 Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training

Registration

Current IRE members should register through their member profile here. Under my profile, select conferences and events.  Your IRE membership will be extended one year from your current expiration date.  

If you are not a current IRE member, please register here. 

For any workshop questions, please contact training@ire.org or 573-882-2042.


Time and place

Saturday, April 13, 2013 - Sunday, April 14, 2013

Michigan State University Communication Arts & Sciences Building
404 Wilson Rd.
East Lansing, Michigan 48824


Registration information

Registration for this event is open! Click here to begin.

Hurry! Registration closes on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m..


Schedule details

  • Panel

    Welcome and overview of the workshop

    Speaker: Megan Luther

    Room 147

    9 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

  • Panel

    FOI/Open records

    Speakers: Robin Luce-Herrmann, Jane Briggs-Bunting

    How to use federal and state laws.  How to write an open records request the right way.  How to appeal and challenge denials.  How to keep a steady flow of information and ideas coming into the newsroom by using FOI. 

    Room 147

    9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

  • Panel

    Quick-hit investigations

    Speakers: Phil Williams, Megan Luther

    Strategies, story ideas, resources and tips for watchdog stories on a variety of beats.  How to produce meaty enterprise stories that may take a few days or a few weeks rather than months.

    Room 147

    10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • Panel

    The art of the interview

    Speaker: Phil Williams

    Learn the best ways to approach sources, prepare and handle the interview process.  Advice for conducting video interviews for your website.  Plenty of tips and strategies for handling tough situations, ethical trouble-spots, etc. 

    Room 147

    11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

  • Panel

    Effective use of the Internet

    Speaker: Megan Luther

    What reporters and editors need to know.  From better search techniques to the invisible Web, how to find documents and databases on deadline and where to find reliable websites for enterprise stories.  The craft of better searching and not wasting time.  Handling issues of credibility and ethics online.  

    Room 147

    1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

  • Panel

    Investigating local government

    Speaker: Jeff Gottlieb

    Learn how to dig deeper into the activity of your local governments.

    Room 147

    3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

  • Panel

    Digging deeper with data and documents

    Speaker: Megan Luther

    Move beyond anecdotes and he-said, she-said journalism with data and documents.  Advice on developing a documents state of mind, navigating public records, understanding records retention schedules, exploring key records on a variety of beats and becoming familiar with key national data sets to produce high-impact local stories.

    Room 147

    4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

  • Panel

    Wrapup/What IRE can do for you

    Speaker: Megan Luther

    Room 147

    5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

  • Hands-on

    Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training

    Speaker: Megan Luther

    Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel, a powerful electronic spreadsheet for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries, election data and more.  Also learn how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.  Class size is limited; register early to reserve a seat on a first-come, first-served basis.  

    NOTE: Registration is required for this session. Click here to sign up.

    Room 242

    9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.