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Posts by Alena Rehberger
Ethical Source Development
By Aidan White, Ethical Journalism Network The relationship between journalists and their sources is complex and full of ethical pitfalls. In the provocative opening to her splendid 1983 book onthe subject, “The Journalist and the Murderer,” Janet Malcolm targets deceptive journalism: “Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what…
Read MoreAs local coverage wanes, residents become self-taught watchdogs
By Miranda S. Spivack Editor’s Note: This article first ran on April 13, 2016 on the Columbia Journalism Review’s website. KEVIN HEMSTOCK, THE LONGTIME editor of the Kent County News, took his paper’s watchdog role literally. From his office in downtown Chestertown, Maryland, he had a sweeping view of High Street, the main thoroughfare. One February day…
Read MoreConsider running for the IRE Board of Directors, Contest Committee
2016 Board Election Schedule April 18 – Period to declare candidacy for the IRE Board begins May 20 – Deadline for candidates to file to appear on the initial ballot May 31 – Voting period begins, candidate statements posted online June 17 – Candidate forum takes place from 6:15-6:30 pm (CT) at the IRE Conference June 18 – Voting…
Read MoreA big investigation of segregated schools gets big results
By Susannah Nesmith, CJR Editor’s Note: This article first ran on April 13, 2016 on the Columbia Journalism Review’s website. It’s been eight months since the Tampa Bay Times rolled out an investigation into five elementary schools in Florida’s Pinellas County that had become “Failure Factories”—almost exclusively black, with some of the worst test scores in the…
Read MoreIRE members win 2016 Pulitzer Prizes
Several members of Investigative Reporters and Editors were among journalists recognized in the 2016 Pulitzer Prizes: The Associated Press won the Public Service Pulitzer for “Seafood from Slaves,” a story that freed 2,000 slaves. The staff of the Los Angeles Times won the Pulitzer for Breaking News Reporting for its coverage of the San Bernardino…
Read MorePanama Papers showcase power of a global movement
By Brant Houston Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on the website of the Global Investigative Journalism Network, www.gijn.org. The ongoing and spectacular investigation “Panama Papers” represents the culmination of a significant shift in the way journalism is now practiced. The project, by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and nearly 400 colleagues from 107 outlets, also represents…
Read MoreTracking crime in your community
FBI Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) is one of the best tools for tracking crime trends in communities nationwide; FBI UCR data for 2014 is now available from the NICAR data library. Law enforcement agencies around the country voluntarily submit reports to the FBI on what are known as “index” crimes: Murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated…
Read MoreHow ‘the public is priced out of public records’ by Michigan universities
By Anna Clark, CJR Editor’s Note: This article first ran on April 5, 2016 on the Columbia Journalism Review’s website. In Michigan, transparency comes at a cost—and a seemingly arbitrary one at that. The Society of Professional Journalists chapter at Central Michigan University recently conducted a FOIA audit of the state’s 15 public universities. It asked for…
Read MorePanama Papers show the value of newsroom collaboration
By David Uberti, CJR Editor’s Note: This article first ran on April 5, 2016 on the Columbia Journalism Review’s website. In early 2015, an anonymous source began forwarding German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung encrypted files from a Panamanian law firm specializing in offshore companies. The trove of documents kept growing, and eventually numbered in the millions. Seeking help to break…
Read MoreBehind the prize: IRE Award winners take us behind the story in articles, podcasts
Want to know how those IRE Award-winning investigations came together? Throughout the year, journalists have taken us behind the story in podcasts and articles. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite pieces. Winners “Seafood from Slaves” by the Associated Press Listen to “The Story That Freed Hundreds of Slaves” on the IRE Radio…
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