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Watchdog Workshop
Minneapolis, Minn. — Oct. 15-16, 2007Hosted by the University of Minnesota; Sponsored by the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minnesota Journalism Center
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 9-9:40 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, University of Illinois and IRE/NICAR 9:40-9:50 a.m. Break 9:50-11 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.
Nora Paul, University of Minnesota Kathleen A. Hansen, University of Minnesota 11-11:10 a.m. Break 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 Katches, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Session for reporters
Cultivating sources and better interviewing. From backgrounding and source development to interviewing techniques, including the difficult interview, for investigations.Pat Stith, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) Pam Louwagie, Star Tribune Paul McEnroe, Star Tribune 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.Pat Stith, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) Brant Houston, University of Illinois and IRE/NICAR 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 2:30-2:40 p.m. 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 Katches, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 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, University of Illinois and IRE/NICAR 3:40-3:50 p.m. Break
3:50-4:30 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.Pat Stith, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) Brant Houston, University of Illinois and IRE/NICAR David Donald, IRE/NICAR 4:40-4:50 p.m. Break 5 p.m. Questions and answers and wrap up for the day. Day Two 9-10 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.Paul Hannah, Kelly & Berens Dan Browning, Star Tribune 10-10:10 a.m. Break 10:10-10:50 p.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 edtors and producers are working with presentation teams. See how watchdog stories are becoming more interactive on the WebSession 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.Bob Shaw, Saint Paul Pioneer Press 10:50-11 a.m. Break 11-11:30 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.MaryJo Webster, Saint Paul Pioneer Press David Donald, IRE/NICAR 11:30-11:40 a.m. Break 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Session for editors and producers
Getting the right training for your newsroom. How to get the most of your training budget in tight times and getting watchdog skills spread through your newsroom.Brenda Rotherham, Star Tribune MaryJo Webster, Saint Paul Pioneer Press David Donald, IRE/NICAR Session for reporters
Getting the right training for your beat. 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?Dan Browning, Star Tribune 12:10-12:20 p.m. 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 Glenn Howatt , Star Tribune
