Date: January 29, 2011   10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: City University of New York, 230 West 41st St. , New York City

The New England Center for Investigative Reporting is teaming up with InvestigateNY to offer a powerful one-day training program for citizen journalists, bloggers and others who want to learn the secrets and tools of professional investigative reporters. The session will be taught by seasoned, award -winning journalists.

What will you learn?

  • The Big Picture: How to do excellent investigative journalism with limited time and experience.  What resources to use.  The importance of knowing and using freedom of information laws.  Types of stories and investigations that can be done.
  • Using Freedom of Information and Open Records Laws: How to use federal and state laws.  How to write an open records request the right way.  How to appeal and challenge denials.
  • Effective use of the internet. What citizen journalists need to know. From better search techniques to the invisible web, how to find documents and databases, and where to find reliable websites that can help you dig deep. The craft of better searching and not wasting time. Handling issues of credibility and ethics online.
  • Creating paper and database trails. How to find and get documents and data you need for any topic.
  • Dissecting a business or nonprofit organization.  How to investigate a large or small corporation or non-profit. Where to find information when tracking a company or organization, both in person and online and the key documents to examine.
  • The art of the Interview. The best ways to approach sources as well as prepare for and handle the interview process. Advice for conducting video interviews for your website. Plenty of tips and strategies for handling tough situations, ethical trouble-spots, etc.
  • Computer-Assisted Reporting Hands-on training on using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to analyze specific databases for trends and story ideas.

Faculty will include:

Joe Bergantino, NECIR’s Director, is an award-winning investigative reporter with 32 years experience, including 22 years as WBZ-TV’s I-Team Reporter and five years as an ABC News Correspondent.

Maggie Mulvihill, NECIR’s Associate Director, is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than 20 years experience in both print and broadcast reporting.

Polly Kreisman is the Executive Director /Senior Investigative Reporter of InvestigateNY, a journalism center startup serving the New York area. She is also the publisher/editrix of the hyperlocal theLoop, covering Westchester County. As a TV investigative reporter in NYC, Polly won 15 Emmy Awards.

Cost: $275

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This application can be printed and mailed in with a check made out to Boston University or you may submit the application electronically and send a check separately.

We now accept both Visa and Mastercard.  Credit card payments can be made by phone by calling: 617-353-4546

Mail all items to:
New England Center for Investigative Reporting
Attn: Watchdog Workshop Registration
640 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

Thank you for completing this application form and for your interest in the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.