The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. Add to that more than 3,000 tipsheets from our national conferences on how to cover specific beats or do specific stories and you have a resource that no reporter or editor should be without. These stories and tipsheets 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. Logged-in members can view the tipsheets free online:
Search results for "public access" ...
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FOI in Europe: Pioneering in a complex legal situation
Brigitte Alfter offers information about Freedom of Information in Europe, and includes tips about dealing with the process, whom to make requests to and the various approaches to FOI of the EU member states. En espanol: #2869
Tags: European Union (EU); Freedom of Information (FOI); accessing public records
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A Basic FOIA Primer from TRAC
Burnham first offers general guidelines for filing successful FOIA requests. Then, he specifically discusses how the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonprofit at Syracuse University, is working to improve the fairness and effectiveness of federal freedom of information laws.
Tags: TRAC; freedom of information; public records; FOIA; data negotiation; federal government
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Social Network Analysis for Stories
This tipsheet is a good introduction to social network analysis. The authors explain how to use social network analysis software to visualize relationships between individuals and organizations. The tipsheet includes examples of stories that could be enhanced with social network analysis, as well as a list of additional resources for reporters interested in learning more about the topic.
Tags: relationships; social networks; campaign data; local government
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Investigative Journalism in Russia: Some instruments that might be of help under conditions when access to public records is scare and difficult
The author, drawing from her years of experience as an investigative journalist in the Soviet Union, offers advice for journalists operating in countries where freedom of the press is hard to come by. The author discusses ways to find information, as well as how to work with an editor who might be afraid of possible litigation.
Tags: journalism; backgrounding; sources; editors; international reporting; Russia; Soviet Union
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Public Access: It's Really Quite Simple
This tipsheet begins with 13 tips for asking officials for public records. The tipsheet then continues with a list of seven potential obstacles to your request, and advice about overcoming them. The last two pages of the tipsheet are sample public records requests, and a script for objecting to courtroom closure.
Tags: FOIA; public records; open meetings; backgrounding; sourcing; Freedom of Information; Sunshine Law
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Overcoming the Confidentiality Barrier
Lanosga suggests how to get access to information on child abuse in fatal and near-fatal cases. Also listed are the 20 states with laws requiring at least some access to case files, as well as ways to get around barriers if you live in states that don't. And don't quit even after doing a story or two. "Keep beating the drum."
Tags: public records; child endangerment; FOI; Administration for Children and Families; Department of Health and Human Services
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Covering State and Local Government
In this tipsheet, Amons provides advice for getting beyond the basic state and local government stories. Information about access to public records is included as well as possible story ideas and government Web sites.
Tags: broadcast; public records; investigative reporting; campaign contributions; Excel; computer-assisted reporting; transportation; crime; sex offenders; spending; quasi-governmental agencies; audits; Kentucky; government Web sites; computer-assisted reporting; CAR
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Californians Aware
These tipsheets cover a variety of issues regarding California law. The first two pages cover the "top 10 points to consider about Proposition 59," explaining the proposition, how it can be interpreted, and context. The third page lists the "top 6 resources for California journalists in using the law to support public access," which contains different websites journalists can utilize while researching and writing. The fourth and fifth pages have the "top 10 points to remember about making a California Public Records Act request," a step-by-step guide to what a journalist needs to do to access public records in California. The final pages include the "10 points to remember about exemptions from the California Public Records Act."
Tags: Proposition 59; California Constitution Article 1 Section 3 subdivision b; Public Access Law; California Public Records Act
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The public's right to records and meetings
Florida's open records laws are among the nation's most liberal. This tipsheet tells you which records are public, how to get them, what you as a reporter are legally entitled to see, and describes the stipulations of the Sunshine Law. Doug Stanley also includes a template of a Florida public records request.
Tags: public records access; Chapter 119; public meetings access; Chapter 286; Florida records request
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The Public's Right to Records and Meetings
This tipsheet offers Web sites and information relating to public open records laws in Indiana and elsewhere.
Tags: FOI; public records; public documents; open records requests; Web site; Indiana; The Indiana Open Door Law; Access to Public Records Act; Public Access Counselor