IRE thanks the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation and the Las Vegas Sun, Barbara J. Greenspun, publisher for helping underwrite these events.

Watchdog Workshop

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa — March 29-30, 2008
Saturday and Sunday

Hosted by: Iowa AP and Drake University

Two workshops in one!
IRE is combining its highly rated Better Watchdogs Workshop for reporters, editors, and producers with a special program for midlevel editors, called Unleashing the Watchdogs. Unleashing the Watchdogs is presented in conjunction with the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

Several sessions will be presented to everyone in attendance - including editors, producers, and reporters - and will be relevant for journalist in every medium. Other sessions will be specifically for reporters or for editors. But anyone can attend any session they wish to.

The Better Watchdogs track will offer practical nuts and bolts instruction for reporters, especially those at small- to medium-sized newsrooms and in bureaus of larger news organizations. The instructors will be experienced journalists and trainers from IRE.

The Unleashing the Watchdogs track will feature editors who have years of experience in producing investigative and enterprise work. They share tips and techniques on how to get watchdog journalism done, especially from reporters covering beats and daily stories.

The workshops also cover the guiding of reporters in the effective use of the Internet, open-records laws, computer-assisted reporting and anonymous sources.

Expected speakers include: MaryJo Webster (St. Paul Pioneer Press), Neil Reisner (Florida International University), Lee Rood, projects-investigations editor (Des Moines Register), Chis Ison, associate professor (University of Minnesota), and Mark Horvit (IRE).

Workshop Fee: $40 professional, $20 student; includes 6-month IRE membership

Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training to be offered 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday for a registration fee of $30.

Introductory: Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel, a powerful electronic spreadsheet, 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. Class size is limited; register early to reserve a seat on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-registration is now closed, but space is still available. Please print the .PDF registration form and bring it with you to register at the event.

Cancellations need to be sent via e-mail to . There is a $20 processing fee for cancellations until the day before the event. Refunds will not be given for cancellations on the day of, or after, the event.