Better Watchdog Workshop

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Watchdog Workshop
Urbana-Champaign, Ill. — April 5-6, 2008

Hosted by the College of Communications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Sponsored by The Knight Chair in Investigative and the Enterprise Reporting, Journalism Department, College of Communications at University of Illinois

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

9-9:10 a.m.
Session for editors, producers and reporters
Welcome.

9:10-9:45 a.m.
Session for editors, producers and reporters
How to do excellent investigative journalism with limited time and resources.
How to do it on a daily, weekly and long-term basis. What resources to use. The importance of knowing and using freedom of information laws. Examples of what small- to medium-sized news organizations are doing in investigative reporting.

9:50-10:25 a.m.
Session for editors, producers and reporters
Searching the Web effectively: What reporters and editors need to know. From better search techniques to the invisible Web, how to find documents and databases on deadline and where to find reliable Web sites for enterprise stories. The craft of better searching and not wasting time.

10:30-11:15 a.m. Session for reporters
The art of finding and cultivating sources. How to develop reliable sources and better interviewing techniques.

Session for editors and producers
Conceiving of and initiating watchdog stories. Where watchdog stories come from and how they're developed. Helping reporters to dig for tips that lead to more watchdog stories.

11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

Session for reporters
Paper and database trails. How to find and get documents and data you need for any beat or topic.

12:20-1:20 p.m. Lunch on your own

1:20-2:05 p.m.
Session for editors and producers
Managing and bulletproofing the watchdog story. Leading watchdog stories from conception to completion. Getting reporters, photographers and videographers, and Web producers together. Making watchdog stories airtight with line-by-line editing.

Session for reporters
Investigating business, from profit to nonprofit. Using regulations and licensing documents and experts to find great stories, provide context, and dig deeper on all beats.

2:10-3 p.m. Session for editors, producers and reporters
How to use open records laws to produce more watchdog stories. How to use federal and state laws. How to write an open records request the right way. How to appeal and challenge denials. How to keep a steady flow of information and ideas coming into the newsroom by using FOI.

3:05-3:45 p.m.

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 better to get it all done.

3:50-4:45 p.m. Session for editors and reporters
Brief overview of computer-assisted reporting. Examples of blending databases into investigations. What to ask for in electronic files and how to ask for them. Doing the cutting edge story in the Web 2.0 world.

4:50-5:15 p.m. Questions and answers and wrap up for the day.

Day Two

9-12:30 p.m. Optional: Computer-Assisted Reporting Training - Intro

9-12:30 p.m. Optional: Computer-Assisted Reporting Training - Intermediate

Day One
9-9:10 a.m.	Session for editors, producers and reporters Welcome.
9:10-9:45 a.m.	Session for editors, producers and reporters How to do excellent investigative journalism with limited time and resources. How to do it on a daily, weekly and long-term basis. What resources to use. The importance of knowing and using freedom of information laws. Examples of what small- to medium-sized news organizations are doing in investigative reporting.
9:50-10:25 a.m.	Session for editors, producers and reporters Searching the Web effectively: What reporters and editors need to know. From better search techniques to the invisible Web, how to find documents and databases on deadline and where to find reliable Web sites for enterprise stories. The craft of better searching and not wasting time.
10:30-11:15 a.m.	Session for reporters The art of finding and cultivating sources. How to develop reliable sources and better interviewing techniques.
10:30-11:15 a.m.	Session for editors and producers Conceiving of and initiating watchdog stories. Where watchdog stories come from and how they're developed. Helping reporters to dig for tips that lead to more watchdog stories.
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.	Session for reporters Paper and database trails. How to find and get documents and data you need for any beat or topic.
12:20-1:20 p.m.	Lunch on your own
1:20-2:05 p.m.	Session for editors and producers Managing and bulletproofing the watchdog story. Leading watchdog stories from conception to completion. Getting reporters, photographers and videographers, and Web producers together. Making watchdog stories airtight with line-by-line editing.
1:20-2:05 p.m.	Session for reporters Investigating business, from profit to nonprofit. Using regulations and licensing documents and experts to find great stories, provide context, and dig deeper on all beats.
2:10-3 p.m.	Session for editors, producers and reporters How to use open records laws to produce more watchdog stories. How to use federal and state laws. How to write an open records request the right way. How to appeal and challenge denials. How to keep a steady flow of information and ideas coming into the newsroom by using FOI.
3:05-3:45 p.m.
3:05-3:45 p.m.	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 better to get it all done.
3:50-4:45 p.m.	Session for editors and reporters Brief overview of computer-assisted reporting. Examples of blending databases into investigations. What to ask for in electronic files and how to ask for them. Doing the cutting edge story in the Web 2.0 world.
4:50-5:15 p.m.	Questions and answers and wrap up for the day.

Day Two
9-12:30 p.m.	Optional: Computer-Assisted Reporting Training - Intro
9-12:30 p.m.	Optional: Computer-Assisted Reporting Training - Intermediate