IRE Radio Podcast | True Believers

Welcome to the third episode of the IRE Radio Podcast. We’re taking a cue from reporter Corey Johnson and calling this episode “True Believers.” This week we’ll be talking about how to find crucial sources and, more importantly, how to get them to talk.

Here’s the lineup:

• Corey Johnson of The Center for Investigative Reporting talks about how he found “true believers” as he reported on unsafe schools for California Watch.
• Michael Isikoff explains how he got whistleblower Thomas Tamm to talk for his 2008 Newsweek story.
• Shawn Boburg of The Record in northern New Jersey discusses how he sourced his award-winning coverage of the George Washington Bridge scandal.

You can find and download previous podcast episodes on our Soundcloud page.

EPISODE NOTES

Looking for links to the stories, resources and events we discussed on this week’s podcast? We’ve collected them for you.

• The spring issue of the IRE Journal is now available online. IRE members can download the issue – which includes Shawn Boburg’s article – by clicking here.
• Read Boburg’s coverage of the George Washington Bridge scandal on The Record’s website.
• Read the California Watch series “On Shaky Ground.” The investigation uncovered systemic failures by the state’s chief regulator of construction standards for public schools.
• Members only: Listen to more from Corey Johnson, who talked about his project “On Shaky Ground” at the 2012 IRE Conference.
• Read Michael Isikoff’s 2008 Newsweek story on Thomas Tamm.
• Members only: Listen to more from journalist Michael Isikoff, who discussed getting skeptical sources to talk at the 2013 IRE Conference. The panel also features Raquel Rutledge (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) and Manny Garcia (Naples Daily News).
• Watch our first video Behind the Story. Learn how KSHB-Kansas City reporter Ryan Kath uncovered a widespread real estate fraud scheme.
• Members only: If you’re looking for information on the IRE Board of Directors election, click here.
• Visit the IRE job center.
• Have an idea for this podcast? Email George Varney at georgev@ire.org or web@ire.org.