Michael Biesecker
Statement
I’m an investigative reporter for The Associated Press in Washington and longtime IRE member hoping to give more back to an organization that has given me so much.
I’m a North Carolina native and early in my career I had the good fortune to work with Pat Stith, co-founder of NICAR and Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh. A former IRE Board member, Pat encouraged me to begin making annual pilgrimages to the conferences. I always left inspired to work harder — and a little smarter.
The skills I learned through IRE played a big role in helping build a track record of hard- hitting investigations that have forced resignations, sent wrongdoers to prison and revealed truths those with power tried to keep hidden.
I was part of the AP team recognized with this year’s Pulitzer Prize for International
Reporting for our investigation into Silicon Valley tech firms aiding the expansion of
mass surveillance programs in China, Gaza, Lebanon and the U.S. Our prior work
tracking potential war crimes in Ukraine was recognized in 2022 with the IRE Gold
Medal and the Philip Meyer Award at NICAR, as well as multiple awards from the
Overseas Press Club of America and other organizations.
Now an IRE member for more than 20 years, I’ve served on the training committee, been a frequent conference panelist and tried to help mentor the next generation of investigative journalists. I’ve also come to value the fellowship within IRE. I still always leave the conferences feeling inspired and rejuvenated.
The tragic and unexpected loss of Executive Director Diana Fuentes leaves a huge hole the next IRE board will have to find a way to fill. Fortunately, Diana’s legacy includes an organization that is financially stable, has a highly professional staff and is well positioned to help its members adapt to the broader challenges facing our industry. My goal will be to serve as a good steward of IRE’s fiscal health while working to keep dues and fees affordable.
I bring to the table prior experience serving on non-profit boards, a high tolerance for scrutinizing spreadsheets and years spent teaching essential skills and practical tips to early career journalists. Please consider trusting me with your vote for a seat on the IRE Board.
- Current Position:
- Global Investigative Reporter at The Associated Press, Washington. Joined AP in North Carolina in 2011 as a federal courts and military reporter before moving to D.C. to cover federal beats, including EPA and Justice. Full-time investigative reporter since 2018
- Prior experience:
- Georgetown University, Adjunct Professor of Journalism, 2020-2024
- N.C. State University Student Media Authority Board, 2013-2015
- The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, state government and other beats, 2003-2011
- The Winston-Salem Journal, reporter and columnist, 1996-2003
- IRE Experience:
- IRE Member since 2004
- NICAR Conference — 2011, 2023 and 2024
- IRE Conference — 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026
- IRE Training Committee — 2024-2025
- Moderator, "How to background people in an hour,” IRE 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; AccessFest 2025
- Instructor, “OSINT visual investigations,” IRE 2024, 2025; AccessFest 2025
- Panelist, “Investigating climate change,” IRE 2025
- Panelist, "Data Dive: The Philip Meyer winners” NICAR 2022
- Expertise:
- Mining public records
- Backgrounding people and businesses
- Quick-hit investigations off breaking news
- Open-source investigations
- Journalism instruction and training
- Key issues to address as a board member:
- Finding IRE’s next executive director
- Maintaining IRE’s fiscal health
- Keeping member dues and fees affordable
- Increasing opportunities for training outside of in-person conferences
- Related Links:
Nominated by Brendan McCarthy
I can’t remember how I met Mike Biesecker, but I know it was at an IRE many years ago. The conference has since become an annual meeting place for us, giving he and I a chance to catch up, talk shop, participate in panels together, and engage others across the industry. I’ve come to know Mike as an exceptional journalist and a great human being. His work is top-notch, as evidenced by the many awards he’s garnered. But most notable is his mentorship of young journalists, many of whom share their work updates and gratitude at each conference. Also noteworthy: his camaraderie and support of other journalists, especially those in a pinch or in need of advice. I know him to be patient and gracious with his time.
Second nomination by Andrew Lehren
It is my honor to nominate Michael Biesecker as a candidate for the IRE board of directors. He has been an IRE member for more than two decades, attended more than a dozen IRE and NICAR conferences -- speaking on panels and mentoring journalists -- and served on the IRE training committee. He pledges to work hard to ensure IRE’s financial health so that it can increase its affordability and to increase training opportunities.
He learned from one of IRE’s shining lights -- Pat Stith, who organized the first NICAR conference and has nurtured so many IRE members.
As an AP global investigative reporter, Michael’s work has led to criminal prosecutions and exposed wrongdoing. for The Associated Press in Washington and a longtime member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). His recognition in the profession includes work that has received IRE awards and a Pulitzer.