IN THE NEWS
IRE and NICAR offer data, stories and tipsheets to help cover the latestOther resources for covering the news
Terrorism-related materials
July 8, 2005
Newsrooms everywhere are focused on the bombings in London and their possible effects around the world. IRE offers resources about terrorism, security, infrastructure and more.
Databases
To order data, call the Database Library at 573-884-7711 or download
an order form.
The U.S. government commits billions of dollars each year for securing
transportation systems. Here are some IRE and NICAR databases that
might help in your reporting:
Federal Procurement Data System: Within this data are records of contracts the federal government has made with businesses for transportation and other homeland security work.
Consolidated Federal Funds Reports: This database includes records of federal money obligated to states, local governments, grants and direct loans, including security-related programs.
Federal
Assistance Award Data System: This database includes
records of federal assistance relating to security-related grants
and other types of assistance dealing with the security of trucks,
buses, ports, rail systems and more.
To order data, call the Database Library at 573-884-7711 or download
an order form.
Stories
To order stories from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to
rescntr@ire.org or call us
at 573-882-3364.
Story
#20305: This series attempts to penetrate the terror networks
in Pakistan and Afghanistan that are at the heart of plots aimed
at causing havoc in Britain, the United States and elsewhere. The
series includes information on the top emerging terrorists responsible
for much of the bloodshed since 9/11. Authors: Paul Haven of The
Associated Press; Year: 2004
Story
#18902: Bob Simon provides an in-depth look in the September
11th attacks, the al Qaeda organization that has planned terrorist
attacks in the United States and other countries, and how retaliation
for terrorism played out across the globe. Authors: Bob Simon; Daggan
Mihailovich; George Crile of 60 Minutes (CBS News); Year: 2001
Story
#18620: This CBC Radio News documentary examines the link between
the al Qaeda terrorist cells in Europe and Canada. It reveals that
the FBI's initial portrayal of al Qaeda, as a scattering of independent
cells, was completely false. The reporters found that the key terrorists
in Canada had direct connections to European members of al Qaeda.
Authors: Kelly Ryan; Sandra Bartlet; Year: 2001
Story
#18986: The Denver Post sent reporters and photographers
overseas to compile this special report on terrorism which "describes
the troubling - sometimes chilling - circumstances that has made
so many countries incubators for terrorism." Authors: Bruce
Finley, Gwen Florio, Steve Lipsher, David Olinger; Year: 2002
Story #19050: Nicholas Lemann of The New Yorker explores how terrorism experts reacted after 9/11. The experts discuss what they think needs to happen to put an end to terrorism. Lemann looks specifically at what motivates terrorists and how those motivations play into stopping global terrorism. Year: 2001
Story #18770: The Los Angeles Times provides explanations for the warning of terror threats in the US prior to 9/11, and explores further insights following the September 11th attacks looking at the methods and nature of those responsible. Findings include the exposure of major terrorist threats in Western Europe and Bosnia. Authors: Bob Drogin; John Meyer; Craig Pyes; William Rempel; Sebastian Rotella; Stephen Braun; John-Thor Dahlburg; Mark Fineman; Lisa Getter; Greg Krikorian; Eric Lichtblau; Robert Lopez; Alan Miller; Chuck Neubauer; H.G. Reza; Paul Watson; Carol Williams; David Willman; David Zucchino;Year: 2001
Story #20723: This series looks at how Washington has waged war against al Qaeda since 9/11 by paying over $20 million to friendly Muslim security services. The stories also explore the roots of global jihad and the links between organized crime and terrorism. Authors: David E. Kaplan; Monica Ekman; Laurie Lande; Aamir Latif; Ilana Ozernoy; Kevin Whitelaw of U.S. News & World Report; Year: 2003
Story #18559: Newsweek investigates the global reach of the al Qaeda terrorist network. Authors: Mark Hosenball; Evan Thomas; Joshua Hammer; Rod Nordland; Jeffrey Bartholet; Scott Johnson; Barbie Nadeau; Christopher Dickey; Brad Stone; Year: 2001
Story
#20736: Jessica Stern traveled around the world to interview
terrorists. She discovered the personal and organizational factors
that promote killing for religious purposes. It is an in-depth study
of the motivational forces behind terrorism. Authors: Jessica Stern
of HarperCollins; Year: 2003
Story
#18792: An investigation by USA Today reveals that "federal
regulators failed to take action to address many of the weaknesses
terrorists exploited during the Sept. 11 attacks... despite warnings
and security breaches aboard hundreds of flights each year." Author(s):
Blake Morrison; Year: 2001
Story
#14233: These stories focus on the dramatic changes in terrorism
in the post-Cold War era, and how the U.S. government is responding.
The investigation reports on how terrorists are gaining access to
weapons of mass destruction. Author(s): David Kaplan, Douglas Pasternak,
Gordon Witkin, Mike Tharp, Mark Madden; Year: 1997
Story
#17326: American Radioworks reports that "On December 21, 1988,
270 people died in the worst-ever act of air terrorism against the
U.S. - the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Eleven years later, two alleged members of the Libyan Intelligence
Service are scheduled to face trial starting in February, 2000."
Author(s): John Biewen, Ian Ferguson, Christopher Joyce, Loren Jenkins,
Stephanie Curtis, Stephen Smith; Year: 2000
Story
#16709: After the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the National
Security Council began investigating terrorists use of nuclear weapons
and nuclear waste materials. This American Spectator article
takes a look at the use of radioactive waste materials and the threat
they pose to the public. Author: John B. Roberts II; Year: 2000
Story
#18024: The New York Times provides a vivid account of
the birth and recent history of the modern jihad movement, which
was largely started by Arab millionaire Osama bin Laden in 1987
when he had a vision that "the time had come... to start a global
jihad, or Islamic holy war, against the corporate secular governments
of the Muslim Middle East and the Western powers that supported
them."
Author(s):Craig Pyes; Judith Miller; Stephen Engelberg; Year: 2001
Story
#10650: In the wake of the first World Trade Center bombing,
PBS investigates "the networks of Islamic extremists committed to
Jihad in America. For these militants, Jihad is a holy war, an armed
struggle to defeat nonbelievers or infidels. And their ultimate
goal is to establish an Islamic empire.... you will hear what these
militants say among themselves, and witness some of their secret
activities here on American soil. ..." Author: Steven Emerson; Year:
1994
Story
#12258: The New Yorker reports that "During the Afghan
war, the CIA helped create a militant network that is now linked
to the attack on the World Trade Center -- and on other American
targets. Author: Mary Anne Weaver; Year: 1995
Jihad
Story
#18979: David E. Kaplan of U.S. News & World Report
sheds light on the underground jihad movement in America. The 2002
story reveals that up to 2,000 Americans have fought in holy wars
around the world - Afghanistan, the Balkans, Kashmir and Chechnya
- since the early 1990s. "Most of the jihadists are Arab Americans,
but other are as diverse as America itself, and include native-born
whites, blacks, and at least one Puerto Rican," according to
the contest questionnaire.
Story
#20893: The New York Times reports that in the spring
of 2001, seven young Yemeni-American from Lackawanna, New York went
to Afghanistan to train for Jihad. What followed is one of the most
intense and high-profile terrorism cases since Sept. 11. The story
offers the perfect backdrop for a story about how terrorist cases
are pursued in the wake of the Patriot Act. Author(s): Matthew Purdy;
Lowell Bergman; Year: 2003
Story
#19779: The New York Times uses more than "5,000 pages
of documents found in training camps and safe houses in Afghanistan
to paint an unprecedented picture of how Al Qaeda functioned and
trained its recruits." Author(s): C.J. Chivers; David Rohde; Year:
2002
Story
#21529: In this Time magazine report, Bill Powell draws
from all over the Islamic world for this story. It profiles the
family of Mohammed Shakr, whose son is edging toward fundamentalism
and jihad. Powell takes a look at the "civil war" that has raged
within Islam for years, intensifying since 9/11. Powell finds that
"the number of Muslims expounding radical beliefs is clearly growing;
the global war on terrorism has fueled perceptions that Islam is
under attack; and America's war in Iraq has made it more difficult
for patient voices inside Islamic states to be heard." Year: 2004
Search
for more stories in IRE's Resource Center. To order stories
from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to
rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
Tipsheets
IRE members can download most tipsheets in PDF format by clicking on the link to the tipsheet and logging in.
To order tipsheets from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
International Terrorism
Tipsheet #1536
Descriptions of the activities and links to the Web sites of about 20 research organizations that can be helpful in reporting on other countries' policies, terrorism and counter-terrorism, intelligence, worldwide corruption, etc.
Tipsheet #1534
Margot Williams provides a list of Web sites that offer international data on terrorism.
Tipsheet #2002
Some readily available databases that will considerably help a reporter covering terrorism. From NICAR resources to AP resources to federal sources, this tipsheet lists quite a few that will add a new depth to stories about terrorism.
Tipsheet #1963
This is a three-part tipsheet. The first part explains who is a terrorist, the second part is about how today's terrorist groups operate, and the third part gives a list of resources for covering terrorism
Tipsheet #1168
This tipsheet consists of a list of contact names and organizations to help reporters investigate terrorists and fringe groups.
Tipsheet #1687
Nine useful tips on reporting on terrorism. Where to search, who to approach, what to ask for.
Tipsheet #1688
Five tips on dealing with terrorism in Italy and Web links to Trade Registers in Italy, Switzerland and Bahamas
Tipsheet #1580
This tipsheet offers a list of the Web sites of the organizations involved in transportation security. It also includes some examples of AP stories, in which these organizations have been used as sources.
International Reporting
Tipsheet #1271
This handout contains a list of tips, Web sites and data to use when conducting an international investigative reports.
Tipsheet #1037
According to the tipsheet, "While immensely helpful, you don't need to have a global network of experienced investigators to internationalize your story." This tipsheet contains an extensive list of links for international reporters. The links also have brief descriptions.
Tipsheet #1663
This tipsheet prepared for the 2002 IRE Annual Conference lists sites with international information on a variety of beats.
Tipsheet #1851
Iqbal Athas of the Sunday Times-Colombo has covered the conflict in Sri Lanka despite numerous attempts by the government to control media reports. It is a valuable read on the difficulties in covering terrorism and the necessity to do so.
Tipsheet
#644
This package contains tipsheets for using CAR for international
reporting, a listing of paper and electronic sources, strategies
and sample stories. Audio tape is available - ask for tape #45.
Tipsheet
#499
The hazards of international reporting mark the extreme difficulties
investigative reporters face in telling the truth about corruption,
incompetence and criminal behavior. Audio tape is available - ask
for tape #IRE96-19.
"Sources for International Journalists" was compiled to help reporters report on international issues from business to the environment; includes computer databases, organizations and government agencies with experts on certain topics and the name and number of experts who could be valuable sources.
Tipsheet
#590
This tipsheet, from the Global Investigative Journalism Conference,
is targeted to international reporters who must report in areas
where journalism is not welcome. The tipsheet includes key advice
and tips for surviving as a journalist in a country where the press
is not protected or valued.
Tipsheet
#1271
This handout contains a list of tips, Web sites and data to use
when conducting an international investigative report.
Tipsheet
#1040
Covers three areas of interest regarding U.S. law and international
journalists' rights: libel, privacy, and access.
Tipsheet
#594
This tipsheet from The Indian Express provides background
about covering terror-related subjects in India. Includes a brief
history, and a lengthy description of how terror is operating in
India today.
Tipsheet
#201
This tipsheet from L'Expresso includes information about
covering international crime, as well as useful Internet links for
reporters.
Tipsheet
#147
Includes a list of useful links for reporting on international organized
crime. Categories of links include: general links, money laundering
links, drug links, crime syndicates links, and human trafficking
links
Tipsheet
#597
How to report under threatening conditions. Includes real-life examples,
problems, and solutions.
Tipsheet
#1927
How to deal with and cover extreme political organizations and movements.
Tipsheet
#1536
Noemi Ramirez of El Mundo provides tips for accessing and
using international databases. The handouts offers descriptions
of the activities and links to the websites of about 20 research
organizations that can be helpful in reporting on other countries'
policies, terrorism and counter-terrorism, intelligence, worldwide
corruption, etc.
Tipsheet
#2482
Reporters interested in making contacts in Europe will find Nils
Mulvad's tipsheet on EU journalism organizations and other IRE-like
European groups very helpful. He lists Web sites and gives information
on what you'll find at those sites.
Tipsheet
#1534
Margot Williams of The Washington Post provides a list of
web sites that offer international data on terrorism.
Tipsheet
#853
Extensive list of Web sites for the international journalist. Includes
sites for international reporting organizations and newspapers from
around the world.
Tipsheet
#2010
T he FOIA rule does not apply internationally, and Nils Mulvad,
the executive director of the Danish Institute for Computer-Assisted
Reporting, made this tipsheet to help reporters have an easier time
of acquiring international data. Also included is a list of Web
sites with international data.
Tipsheet
#1905
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists compiled
this collection of books and Web sites covering everything from
UN reports to private military companies, the arms trade and natural
resource exploitation.
Tipsheet
#1664
This is a list of Web sites that provide international data that
can be useful when reporting about national and international issues.
Tipsheet
#2032
IRE Executive Director Brant Houston lists several sources for obtaining
international databases, as well as sources about international
data from the IRE Resource Center. The end of this tipsheet also
highlights some databases available from the database library that
pertain to international data.
Tipsheet
#1038
This tipsheet from the Global Investigative Journalism Conference
details and explains how global reporting is now facing new legal
challenges. Depending on which country a journalists reports from,
he or she may face different rules and regulations.
Tipsheet
#599
"This study examines how the Internet has changed investigative
reporting around the world both as a newsgathering tool and as a
means of evading government censorship. As a tool for data collection
and cross-border journalistic collaboration, the internet has offered
modest positive changes for investigative reporters."
Tipsheet
#1421
This tipsheet from the International Consortium of Investigative
Journalists provides contacts for overseas reporters, includes resources
on how to track company operations across border lines, gives examples
of helpful databases and describes the importance of trade journals,
industry publications and court records.
Search
for more tipsheets in IRE's Resource Center.
To order tipsheets from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail
to rescntr@ire.org or call
us at 573-882-3364.
IRE Publications
The Investigative Reporter's Handbook, Brant Houston's Computer-Assisted Reporting book and other helpful publications are available from IRE and NICAR. IRE members can search the indexes of The IRE Journal and Uplink. Back issues of The IRE Journal and Uplink may be purchased for $10 each. There is an additional $10 user fee for nonmembers. Check with the Resource Center at 573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org for availability.
The Investigative Reporter's Handbook includes a chapter, "Crossing Borders: International Investigations," offering a number of insights and lessons learned from journalists tackling such stories.
The March-April 2005 issue of The IRE Journal focused on "The War at Home and Abroad," with stories about Iraqis filing claims over alleged abuses, killings; non-combat fatalities in the military; understanding Islamic fundamentalism to tracking documents and people; using military sources to report on a virus spreading in boot camps; and investigating a group linked to terrorism in Missouri.
The March-April 2003 issue of The IRE Journal focused on "International Investigations" with stories about the business of war; reporting on war crimes; resources found on the CIA's World Factbook Web site; and sources that can be used for international investigations. This issue includes lots of good tips and resources for all kinds of international investigations.
The March-April 2005 issue of Uplink spotlighted "The War at Home and Abroad" with the following stories:
The March-April 2003 issue of Uplink spotlighted "CAR for Wartime" with these stories:
The January-February 2002 issue of Uplink spotlighted Terrorism with these stories:
Other stories of interest from Uplink:
IRE members can search the indexes of The IRE Journal and Uplink. Back issues of The IRE Journal and Uplink may be purchased for $10 each. There is an additional $10 user fee for nonmembers. Check with the Resource Center at 573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org for availability.
Web Links
Terrorism Information
This is the report by the United States National Commission on Terrorism
News sites
There are thousands of media Web sites around the world and several others that link to them, including:
| For more information, contact: | |
| Jeremy Milarsky Database Library Director IRE and NICAR E-mail: jeremy@ire.org Voice: 573-882-1982 Fax: 573-884-5544 |
Beth Kopine Research Director IRE Resource Center E-mail: beth@ire.org Voice: 573-882-6668 Fax: 573-884-8151 |
