The early bird deadline for 
The 2025 Freelance Fellowship Recipients
“A News Journal reporter uncovered that the head of a local charter school lied about her credentials, claiming a Ph.D. from an “online university” that doesn’t exist, after following a news tip. The story evolved into the damaging effects of diploma mills such as the online service the school leader used to purchase her fake…
Read More“19-year-old Hailu Brook was shot and killed by Fairfax County police after he allegedly robbed a bank and crossed the county line. Officers fired 25 shots into his body, and the Arlington County Police Department conducted an official investigation into the actions of the Fairfax officers.” “The case is closed, but the Arlington police chief…
Read More“A Houston Chronicle/Hearst series on disabled veterans ripoffs nationwide found convicted thieves, inveterate gamblers, the bankrupt and the mentally ill were repeatedly handed control of disabled veterans’ assets and estates by the VA – and then stole from them.” “The findings of this investigation of more than 100 prosecutions and decades of audits of this…
Read More“A Reuters investigation has found that under the direction of CEO Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake Energy Corp. plotted with its top competitor to suppress land prices in one of America’s most promising oil and gas plays.” “In emails between Chesapeake and Encana Corp, Canada’s largest natural gas company, the rivals repeatedly discussed how to avoid bidding…
Read More“A Yancey County News investigation has led to the arrest of a former chief deputy on a charge of felony embezzlement. In a year-long series of stories the paper found that a pistol, bought for the sheriff’s department, had been pawned.” “The newspaper proved that the gun was listed on the inventory of the sheriff’s…
Read More“Echoing the findings of a Journal Sentinel investigation last month, Ben Poston reports that more than 5,300 violent assaults have been misreported since 2006, according to Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn whom told a Common Council committee Thursday.” “An internal department audit shows that 20% of aggravated assaults were underreported as lesser offenses that didn’t…
Read MoreBy Châu Mai@maingocchau After spending weeks, months or even years to do an investigation, you want to write an interesting story that makes readers really want to read it. “Your goal is to pull people in and your second goal is to keep them there,” Seattle Times investisgative reporter Ken Armstrong said. He and Steve…
Read MoreBy Pamela Cyran @CyranStar Graduating? Mid-career? These job-hunting tips from veteran reporters are for everyone in the business. El Nuevo Herald Executive Editor Manny Garcia was joined by Stephen Stock, KNTV-San Francisco, Sarah Cohen, Duke University, and Len Downie of the Washington Post, on “Building your career: A roundtable discussion.” The panel offered advice on how to get ahead in today’s…
Read MoreBy Pamela Cyran @CyranStar See video of Abramson’s entire speech From The Boston Globe: New York Times editor chides White House New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson’s keynote address during the IRE Awards Luncheon stressed the importance of investigative reporting and warned of a crack down against sources who leak information. Abramson reminded us that…
Read MoreBy Shuyi Wang Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, has become an essential tool for investigative reporters in China, said Ying Chan, journalism professor from the University of Hong Kong on the Saturday’s panel “Investigative Reporting in China.” Chan cited the most discussed news in China recently to explain the power of Weibo. China’s government suspended…
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