This class focuses on in-depth and investigative reporting, where science and technology meets public policy and society. We will cover essential skills of investigative reporting, including obtaining documents through Public Records Act requests, using online reporting resources, computer-assisted reporting, and ethical and legal issues. After 10 weeks, students will complete an article of ~2000 words, concentrating on an issue of societal/political importance.
What do we mean by investigative journalism? How to find a story worth reporting, by asking the right questions. Defining the minimum story, and the reporting needed to deliver it. Using checkpoints to avoid wasted effort. The secret of successful reporting: Call, call, call, and email, email, email!
4-5 students meet to discuss project ideas and how to go about executing.
4-5 students meet to discuss project ideas and how to go about executing.
Discuss examples of investigative reports selected by students, studying methods employed.
An introduction to data-driven journalism, with examples. Basic online resources for science reporters: Getting the most out of databases of scientific literature, patents, grants, clinical trials etc.
Where and how to find data and documents online. Tips, tricks and tools for pulling unruly data down from the web: Extracting data from web tables, automating bulk downloads of multiple files, and web scraping –- without having to write any code.
We’ll use Open Refine to clean and process data –- and learn how to save the steps so in future it can be done with one click!
Beyond the spreadsheet: Using databases and structured query language (SQL) to interrogate data and find the story.
Guidestar and CitizenAudit.org for researching non-profits. Who is John/Jane Doe? Looking for court records.
Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Sqoop, and other tools for researching companies.
At the Santa Cruz Government Center, we’ll search for property records, criminal and civil court records, and more.
Financial disclosures, campaign contributions, import/export data, and other online reporting resources.
Data visualization in reporting and storytelling. After a discussion of basic principles, we will put them into practice using Tableau Public.
Ben Welsh, Los Angeles Times data desk editor, will explain how the LA Times integrates data journalism into the newsroom — and how data and other reporting grunt work can set you up to win a Pulitzer for breaking news coverage!
IMPORTANT: Ben will also meet with students, to discuss their projects.
After initial edits and Ben’s feedback, a catch-up to make sure everything is on track to deliver the best article possible
We will process geographic data and make maps with Carto.
Defamation, libel and other pitfalls to avoid in journalism. How to deal with complaints. We will be joined by James Chadwick, partner in the Silicon Valley office of the law firm Sheppard Mullin.
Who sent that email? Who runs this website? The tracks you leave online, and how to cover them, if necessary. How to protect yourself, and your sources, from prying eyes.
Reporting on scientific misconduct and research ethics.
Case studies in journalistic ethics. What would you have done?