Watchdog Workshop

Birmingham, Ala. — Jan. 23-24, 2010

Hosted by Birmingham Association of Black Journalists and
University of Alabama at Birmingham

IRE is bringing its highly rated Better Watchdog Workshop to Birmingham, Ala. Join our experienced trainers and a group of veteran reporters for our Better Watchdog Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 23, with an extra half-day of hands-on computer-assisted reporting training on Sunday, Jan. 24 for those who are interested.

We'll offer several of our core sessions that will improve your ability to find information on the Web quickly, point you to key documents that will help you produce quick-hit enterprise stories and give you tips on the best approaches when conducting interviews or developing sources.

In addition, this workshop will give you tips on how to bulletproof stories, how to deal with freedom of information laws and public records, and useful Web sites and strategies for using Internet tools such as wikis, blogs, robots and RSS feeds.

These sessions are designed for reporters, editors and producers from small, midsize and large publications and TV stations and Web-only news sites and news blogs.

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

Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training will be held on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limited seating is available so registration is required. Seating is limited to 30.

Registration

Professional journalists: $50; BABJ members: $35; Students $25. Fees include a one-year IRE membership.

  • Online registration has closed. Please print out a copy of the PDF registration form and register at the workshop.
  • Download a form (PDF)

    • Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be sent via e-mail to Amy Johnston, amy@ire.org. There is a $20 processing fee for professionals and $10 for students for cancellations until the day before the event. Refunds will not be given for cancellations on the day of, or after, the event.

    Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training

    Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel spreadsheets for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries, and Census data. Also learn how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.

    This optional session is Sunday, Jan. 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $30 (in addition to workshop registration). Seating is limited to 30 people. Advance registration is required.

    Workshop Location

    • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • 1401 University Blvd
    • Birmingham, AL 35294

    • Saturday training: Heritage Hall Bldg — Room 106
    • Sunday CAR training: Heritage Hall Bldg — Room 334
    • Parking: Street parking is available on 14th Street on both sides of University Blvd. In addition, there is a reserved parking space off 14th Street on the West side of Heritage Hall, which is open for general use during the weekend.

    Recommended hotels

    • Doubletree Hotel (about 5 blocks from Heritage Hall)
    • 808 20th Street
    • Birmingham, AL 35205
    • (205) 933-9000 — phone
    • Hotel Highland (about 8 blocks from Heritage Hall)
    • 1023 20th St S
    • Birmingham, AL 35205
    • (205) 933-9555 — phone

    Upcoming Watchdog Workshops

    Sept. 24-25, 2010  Miami, Fla.
    Sept. 25-26, 2010  San Francisco, Calif.
    Oct. 9-10, 2010  Eugene, Ore.
    Nov. 6-7, 2010  Charleston, W.V.


    See all IRE and NICAR training

    Sponsors

    IRE thanks the following sponsors for supporting our Watchdog program: