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Watchdog Workshop
Indianapolis, Ind. — Oct. 26-27, 2007Hosted by Indiana University School of Journalism; Sponsored by The Indianapolis Star
IRE thanks the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation and the Las Vegas Sun, Barbara
J. Greenspun, publisher for helping underwrite this event.
Day One 9-9:50 a.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
Overview of watchdog work being done and methods for doing it effectively on a daily, weekly and long-term basis. What resources to use; the importance of knowing and using Freedom of Information laws; and examples of what news organizations of all sizes are doing in investigative reporting.
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Break 10:00-11:00 a.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
Effective use of the Internet. From better search techniques to the invisible Web: How to find documents and databases on deadline. Learn about where to find reliable Websites for enterprise stories and the craft of better searching.
David Donald, IRE/NICAR 11:10-12:30 p.m. Session for editors and producers
Building an investigative newsroom: How to structure it when everyone has a beat to cover. How newsrooms of all sizes have organized, managed and increased watchdog journalism while maintaining their daily reports.
Mark Horvit, Fort Worth Star Telegram Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Session for reporters
Cultivating sources and better interviewing. From backgrounding and source development to interviewing techniques, including the difficult interview, for investigations.
Alison Young, Atlanta Journal-Constitution 12:30-1:40 p.m. Lunch 1:40-2:30 p.m. Session for editors and producers
Conceiving of and initiating watchdog stories. Where watchdog stories come from and how they're developed; helping reporters dig for tips that lead to more watchdog stories.
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Chris Ison, University of Minnesota Session for reporters
Money in Politics. How to uncover the stories by looking at contributions, expenditures, committees and nonprofit groups and all the financial loopholes. Following the money after the election.David Donald, IRE/NICAR Break 2:40-3:30 p.m. Session for editors and producers
Managing and bulletproofing the watchdog story. Leading watchdog stories from conception to completion; making watchdog stories airtight.
Mark Horvit, Fort Worth Star Telegram Chris Ison, University of Minnesota Session for reporters
Investigating business from profit to nonprofit. Using regulations and licensing documents to dig deeper and find great stories on all beats.
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Gerry Lanosga, Indiana University Break
3:40-4:40 p.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
Dealing with ethics, anonymous sources and the public investigative stories. Guidelines and approaches for staying out of legal trouble; how newsrooms are handling critical watchdog issues and maintaining credibility.
Mark Horvit, Fort Worth Star Telegram Gerry Lanosga, Indiana University Alison Young, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Break
5 p.m. Questions and answers and wrap up for the day. Day Two 9-9:50 a.m. Session for editors, reporters and producers
How to use federal and state open records laws to produce more watchdog stories; how to write an open records request; how to appeal and challenge denials; how to keep a steady flow of information and ideas coming into the newsroom.
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Kyle Niederpruem, Indiana Coalition for Open Government / National Freedom of Information Coalition Break 10-10:50 a.m. Session for editors and producers
Presentation of watchdog stories: From writing to graphics to the Web. See the latest in print, broadcast and online watchdog stories, and discuss how editors and producers are working with presentation teams. See how watchdog stories are becoming more interactive on the Web.David Donald, IRE/NICAR Session for reporters
Managing and juggling your time to do watchdog stories: putting it all together; how to cover a beat and still produce investigative stories; how to manage your day; how reporters and managers can collaborate.
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Break 11:00-11:30 a.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
Understanding and using computer-assisted reporting for daily and beat watchdog stories; examples of blending databases into investigations; what to ask for in electronic files and how to ask for them; what spreadsheets and databases add to watchdog stories.David Donald, IRE/NICAR Break 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Session for editors and producers
Getting the right training for your beat. How to get the most of your training budget in tight times and getting watchdog skills spread through your newsroom.
David Donald, IRE/NICAR Session for reporters
Essential documents and databases for all newsrooms. making the best use of IRE's Web site for follow up; documents and data you need to know about and get; what IRE can do to help make your stories better, richer, fuller. What track is your career on?
Brant Houston, IRE/NICAR and University of Illinois Alden Loury, Chicago Reporter Break 12:20 -12:30 p.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
Workshop wrap up. Final questions and answers, and further suggestions.CAR 1:30 -4:30 p.m. Optional hands-on computer-assisted reporting training (Introductory)
How to use Excel, a powerful spreadsheet, for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries and census data. Also how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.
David Donald, IRE/NICAR Optional hands-on computer-assisted reporting training (Intermediate)
If you can comfortably move around, write a formula and import information into a spreadsheet, this is the session for you. This hands-on workshop will help reporters use Microsoft Access to delve into databases for more in-depth stories. The session will cover searching a database, summarizing and sorting data, and importing information into a database.
Alden Loury, Chicago Reporter
