Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "Carnival" ...

  • "Cruise Ships Dodge Rules"

    This investigation takes a look at the claims of cruise ships boasting "green" cruising and whether or not it can truly reduce the "impact on the environment." Despite the claims, reporters found that ships are playing the system and continue to dump harmful waste along their cruise routes, in areas where the rules are "less stringent."

    Tags: Canada; Straight of Juan de Fuca; cruise ships; waste disposal; Port of Seattle; Carnival; Royal Caribbean

    By Rita Hibbard; Lee van der Voo; Katie Farden

    InvestigateWest

    2010

  • Carnival Safety Investigation

    Inside Edition sent a producer with hidden cameras to work at several traveling carnivals around the country where he uncovered major drug use by some of the carnival ride operators. In addition to capturing "ride jockeys" abusing (and dealing) drugs just minutes before they began operating major thrill rides popular with children and young adults, our producer also observed several serious safety issues inherent in the traveling carnival industry. Among these safety issues were questionable hiring practices, inadequate training policies and dangerous mechanical issues on multiple rides.

    Tags: carnival safety; public safety; ride jockeys; drug use; sex offenders; ex-con; traveling carnivals;

    By Charles Lachman; Bob Read; Matt Meagher; Charles McLravy; Marissa Yaremich; Filip Kapsa

    Inside Edition (New York)

    2008

  • Captains Outrageous

    The New Times reports on Carnival Cruise Lines and the Arison family behind it. This three-part report spotlights the hundred-hour work weeks and poor pay of the foreign workers Carnival employs, mishandling and cover-ups of rapes and other crimes aboard the ships, and the financial history of the company itself, whose ships are registered to foreign countries to avoid taxation.

    Tags: cruise ships; labor laws; sexual assault; Micky Arison; tax evasion; lobbyists; whistleblowers

    By Jim DeFede;Kirk Nielsen;Tristram Korten;Ted B. Kissell

    New Times (Miami)

    2000

  • For Cruise Ships' Workers, Much Toil, Little Protection

    The New York Times investigates the working conditions of cruise ship dishwashers, cooks and cabin cleaners. The newspaper found that cruise lines avoid "American minimum wage requirements and other labor laws" by registering their "corporations and ships in countries like Liberia and Panama, where laws are lax and enforcement is weak."

    Tags: Caste system poverty retaliation maritime laws jurisdiction international waters medical claims coverage job placement fees Carnival Corporation International Council of Cruise Lines Seaman's Church Institute Norwegian Cruise Lines Majesty Cruise Line

    By Douglas Frantz

    New York Times

    1999

  • 1999 IRE National Conference Show and Tell Tape #8

    1999 IRE National Conference (Kansas City) Show and Tell Tape #8 is the eighth of a nine-part series. This tape includes: 1.) Diane Charles (WDIV-Detroit) Water drainage system causes high erosion, leaving houses on the brink of a cliff. County refuses to fix the problem...even though the erosion was predicted 30 years earlier. 2.) Mark Lagerkvist (News 12 - Long Island) Questionable campaign finance contributions. Starts at race track and continues horse analogy throughout. 3.) Deborah Sherman (WFXT - Boston Fox) Costa Rican trips for child sex. Actually spoke with girls who used to get paid by American tourists for sex. Focuses on one area man charged with this crime. 4.) Jennifer Krause (WTVF-Nashville) Feed the Children rip-off. employees taking home thousands of food items and boxes filled with clothes that were supposed to go to the needy. 5.) Miguel Sancho (Inside Edition) Carnival cruise ship come-ons. Staff on these cruise ships hitting on passengers and even having sex with them, sometimes consensual. Against policy to interact with passengers this way. Hidden camera of crew coming on to Inside Edition interns. 6.) Rich Fuentes (KVBC-Las Vegas) Safety test of cheaper, replacement after-market auto parts covered by most insurance companies instead of parts made by original car manufacturers. Not as safe and will cost more in the end. 7.) Phil Archer (KPRC-Houston) Employees steal and take home items donated to a local shelter. 8.) Deb Fountain (KSTP-Minneapolis) Another herbal supplement piece focusing on the dangerous ingredients in some products. Metabolife comes up again as a problematic substance known for causing high blood pressure.

    Tags: TAPE; Kansas City; conference; no transcripts; IRE

    By IRE

    IRE

    1999

  • Carnival Dangers

    The story exposed the criminal behavior of carnival employees and how their actions impact patron safety. A month-long, inter-state undercover operation documented rampant drug trafficking and abuse among employees responsible for ride safety. The story also found management to have a blatant disregard for proper employee training. Outdated rides that were improperly maintained also posed serious safety concerns.

    Tags: TAPE

    By None

    Inside Edition (New York)

    1997

  • Rough Rides

    The Associated Press investigates how big American amusement ride companies intentionally use patrons as guinea pigs on dangerous rides. The industry is fraught with bad judgment and blunders. There is no government oversight of bad operations, and hundreds of injuries go unreported every year. (Sept. 1 - 27, 1996)

    Tags: Fritz CAR Rough Rides Contest entry Carnivals 19 pgs.

    By Fritz

    Associated Press

    1996

  • Thrills Spills

    A three-day, computer assisted series which examined ride injuries at New Jersey amusement parks and traveling carnivals. The investigation found that there were 1,000 injuries over four years, including broken necks, broken limbs, concussions, and serious cuts. Some ride owners, especially carnivals, flout state law and don't bother reporting. The state has slashed the number of inspectors nearly in half. Inspectors fail to determine how accidents happended, and sometimes fail to contact victims to get their side. Parks are rarely fined; when the are fined, the amount is minimal, even when riders are killed or severely injured.

    Tags: None

    By Linsk

    Asbury Park Press (Neptune, N.J.)

    1995

  • No title (id: 10543)

    The Raleigh (NC) News and Observer examines the deal between a carnival owner and the state, in which the owner gets an extra cut of revenue from the rides. The article notes that the state has lost over $1,000,000 since 1986, and also points to the relationship between the owner of the carnival and some state officials. Oct. 9, 1994.

    Tags: NC Stith Warrick Amusement rides bids

    By None

    News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)

    1994

  • No title (id: 2594)

    Plain Dealer (Cleveland) series says no one inspects Ohio's amusement parks; parks make concerted effort to keep accidents quiet and lobby to keep inspectors out, August 1983.

    Tags: Webb OH carnivals

    By None

    Cleveland Plain Dealer

    1983