IRE News
The Alabama Solution: Journalists Hope to Inspire More Ethical Prison Reporting
By Victoria Valenzuela, independent journalist When Charlotte Kaufman and Andrew Jarecki visited Easterling prison in Alabama as media seven years ago, they didn’t know what to expect — but they knew that it is rare to get an opportunity to report from a prison, so they took the chance. What started as a filmed visit…
Read MoreIRE announces winners of the 2025 Philip Meyer Journalism Award
IRE board launches new initative to support investigative editors and managers of color The annual Philip Meyer Journalism Award from Investigative Reporters and Editors recognizes the best use of social science research methods in journalism. This year, IRE honors five investigative projects from a pool of extraordinarily strong applicants. Winning projects will be recognized on…
Read MorePromotions and new staff strengthen IRE
IRE board launches new initative to support investigative editors and managers of color Staffing changes at IRE are strengthening the nation’s largest journalism association at a critical time for the industry. “IRE’s superpower has always been its people,” said Executive Director Diana Fuentes. “At a time when journalism is facing major challenges, investing in a…
Read MoreBuilding The SLAPP Back Initiative – Tracking and Mapping Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation
By Pete Madden & Susanna Granieri Illustration by Derek Abella In August 2021, Wausau Pilot & Review, a small newspaper in central Wisconsin, acted on a tip from a reader and reported that a local businessman uttered a homophobic slur during a recent county board meeting. He denied it and demanded a retraction. When he…
Read MoreIRE condemns the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) strongly condemns the arrests of independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, who covered a Jan. 18 protest against immigration enforcement at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Read MoreSign up for the NICAR26 mentorship program
IRE board launches new initative to support investigative editors and managers of color (January 27, 2026) — IRE is now accepting applications for the NICAR26 mentorship program! Our annual data journalism conference is taking place March 5-8, 2026 in Indianapolis. If you’re joining us for the conference and are hoping to get (or give) one-on-one…
Read MoreIt’s time for the NICAR 2026 T-shirt contest!
IRE board launches new initative to support investigative editors and managers of color Earn bragging rights and help raise money for future training events by participating in the NICAR 2026 Conference T-shirt contest! Submit your best T-shirt ideas that celebrate data and data journalism. There are only a few guidelines: It must be work-appropriate. There…
Read MoreIRE statement on FBI raid of Hannah Natanson’s home
IRE strongly condemns the raid of a Washington Post reporter’s home by the FBI, purportedly in an effort to seize classified documents provided to the reporter as she investigates President Donald Trump’s administration. “This was an unconscionable attack on a free press,” said IRE Executive Director Diana Fuentes. “There is nothing more intimidating than going…
Read MoreThe 2025 Freelance Fellowship Recipients
IRE is excited to announce that the recipients of the 2025 IRE Freelance Fellowship are Jennifer Chowdhury and Molly Cotner! In their respective projects, Jennifer will investigate the U.S. government’s inconsistent approach to granting citizenship to children born through international surrogacy, while Molly will lead a community-centered investigation into the realities of the childcare crisis…
Read MoreCall for entries: 2025 IRE Awards
IRE board launches new initative to support investigative editors and managers of color (Dec. 19, 2025) – It’s that time of year again! The 2025 IRE Awards are now open! We’re excited to announce a few new categories this year as well as a brand new contest platform. We’ve expanded the print/online, video and audio…
Read More