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Investigating Local Government: A Poynter / IRE Hands-On Seminar Sep 16, 2013 - Sep 20, 2013 Apply By:  Aug 12, 2013

The low $300 tuition for this seminar is made possible by a generous grant from The Buck Foundation.

Join The Poynter Institute and Investigative Reporters and Editors for an intensive, practical hands-on workshop to teach journalists how to investigate and report on their local governments. The workshop is especially focused toward newsrooms that do not have big budgets or staffs to produce exhaustive projects.

We will accept multiple journalists from the same newsroom.  We welcome journalism educators and grad students!

Price: $300.00

APPLY NOW-CLICK HERE (the link will ask you to get a Poynter account, which takes 10 seconds or so, quick and easy.  If you have a Poynter.org account, then just use it. Then fill out the application.  We do not need you to send us story samples or do anything very time consuming in this application. You will get an acceptance note from us usually within 24 hours. If you need urgent attention to your application or have questions, call Al Tompkins 727-409-9717 or email atompkins@poynter.org.)

 

 

 

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Monday, September 16
 

9:00am EDT

Welcome-getting to know you
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Monday September 16, 2013 9:00am - 9:30am EDT
classroom

9:30am EDT

Free and Fast: Mining Social Media to Find Local Video, Photos, Witnesses and Info
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Monday September 16, 2013 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
classroom
  quick tools

11:00am EDT

Free and Fast: The Hidden Web-Where Local Journalists Find the Good Stuff
Speakers
avatar for Mark Horvit

Mark Horvit

Associate Professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Mark Horvit is director of the State Government Reporting Program and an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He previously served as executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting... Read More →

Monday September 16, 2013 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
classroom
  quick tools

12:30pm EDT

Lunch at Poynter
Monday September 16, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Dining Room Poynter

1:30pm EDT

Tow Trucks, Natural Disasters and Foreclosures: Oh The Stories You Could Tell
How I did the Story about:

Shady Tow Truck Drivers
How Disasters Bring Juicy Stories to Your Door
Bad Neighbor Banks: When Foreclosures Ruin Neighborhoods
Speakers
JM

John Maines

Database Specialist, Sun-Sentinel

Monday September 16, 2013 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
classroom
  How I did the Story

3:30pm EDT

Break
Monday September 16, 2013 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT
classroom

3:45pm EDT

Hands-On: Getting Data into Excel, the Web, PDF and Text
Speakers
avatar for Jaimie Dowdell

Jaimie Dowdell

Senior Training Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Jaimi Dowdell is Senior Training Director of Investigative Reporters and Editors. Since 2008, she's trained thousands of journalists in document- and data-driven reporting. She received the 2016 Spotlight Fellowship for Investigative Reporting and previously worked as computer-assisted... Read More →

Monday September 16, 2013 3:45pm - 6:00pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Hands-On
 
Tuesday, September 17
 

9:00am EDT

Quick Hit Investigations: Daily Deadlines Don't Mean Dull Stories
Nancy Amons' investigations usually are "daily turn" stories, not long special projects pieces.
It is just like the real life that thousands of journalists live in newsrooms worldwide-so how do you tell hard-hitting investigative pieces on daily deadline?  Nancy shows us.
Tuesday September 17, 2013 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
classroom
  quick tools

10:30am EDT

Break
Tuesday September 17, 2013 10:30am - 10:45am EDT
classroom

10:45am EDT

Off Duty Speeding Cops: Holding Police Accountable
John Maines and the team he works with at the Sun-Sentinel were awarded a Pulitzer Prize for their work on Speeding Off-Duty Cops.

John will show us how using something as simple as toll booth tickets, the team was able to provide how fast police were driving, even on their way home from duty.  John will walk step-by-step thorugh the project and help participants understand how they can raise similar questions even if they have limited time and budgets.
Speakers
JM

John Maines

Database Specialist, Sun-Sentinel

Tuesday September 17, 2013 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
classroom
  How I did the Story

12:00pm EDT

Lunch at Poynter
Tuesday September 17, 2013 12:00pm - 1:30am EDT
Dining Room Poynter

1:30pm EDT

Hands-On Data and Spreadsheets: Filtering, Pivot Tables, Cleaning Data
This is Step Two in our Hands On data efforts as we build the skills jorunalists need to sort through data and spreadhseets that often unlock stories others miss.
Speakers
avatar for Jaimie Dowdell

Jaimie Dowdell

Senior Training Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Jaimi Dowdell is Senior Training Director of Investigative Reporters and Editors. Since 2008, she's trained thousands of journalists in document- and data-driven reporting. She received the 2016 Spotlight Fellowship for Investigative Reporting and previously worked as computer-assisted... Read More →
avatar for Mark Horvit

Mark Horvit

Associate Professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Mark Horvit is director of the State Government Reporting Program and an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He previously served as executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting... Read More →

Tuesday September 17, 2013 1:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Hands-On
 
Wednesday, September 18
 

9:00am EDT

Investigating Charities and Non-Profits
Kris and her colleagues investigated the "Worst Charities in America" and found many big name, big budget charities spend the majority of their income on paid solicitors, not on carrying out the mission on which the charity was founded. The methods she used on that big project can be easily applied to everyday reporting on charities in any city.
Speakers
avatar for Kris Hundley

Kris Hundley

Reporter, Tampa Bay Times
Kris Hundley has been a reporter with the Times for more than a decade. She has covered the business of health care, from the doctor's office to Medicare to the FDA. In 2008, she traveled to India on a fellowship from the International Center for Journalists to research the growing... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2013 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
classroom
  How I did the Story

10:30am EDT

Break
Wednesday September 18, 2013 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
classroom

10:45am EDT

Critical Thinking: Using Journalism Forensics to Unlock the Story
You will learn how to know if a photo has been altered, what questions to ask when a source makes a claim, how to know who posted a YouTube video or how to listen to political speeches with "radar ears."
This will be a highly practical session, low on theory and high on useability.
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2013 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT
classroom
  Skill Building

12:15pm EDT

Lunch at Poynter
Wednesday September 18, 2013 12:15pm - 1:45am EDT
Dining Room Poynter

1:45pm EDT

Making Data Visual: Easy Graphics and Interactives that Brings Data to Life
Sara will show you what kinds of interactive and graphic elements attract reader/ viewer attention based on extensive research she has done through Poynter EyeTracking surveys.
Speakers
avatar for Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn teaches visual journalism, leadership and multimedia. She leads Poynter’s college fellowship and its partnerships with universities. Sara direced Poynter’s EyeTrack research of newspaper, tablet and online reading habits, which helps journalists determine the best... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2013 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Skill Building

3:00pm EDT

Hands-On: Learning to Visualize Data
Speakers
avatar for Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn teaches visual journalism, leadership and multimedia. She leads Poynter’s college fellowship and its partnerships with universities. Sara direced Poynter’s EyeTrack research of newspaper, tablet and online reading habits, which helps journalists determine the best... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2013 3:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Hands-On
 
Thursday, September 19
 

9:00am EDT

Ten Ways to Tell a Story: Getting Beyond the Ordinary
Once you have published your story in print or aired a story on TV or radio, now what?
We will show you ten tools you can use to EXTEND your story beyond the legacy media you use to engage the audience in photos, videos, interactives, graphics, slideshows, audio, stills, user-contributed content, games and social media. We will push you to think of "publishing" your story as the first step and not the LAST on ONLY step. And yes, we will keep it real, knowing that you may have limited time, resources and even skills.  We will show you big ideas that will inspire you and smaller ideas that you can use right away.
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
classroom
  Skill Building

10:45am EDT

The Investigative Mindset: What to Ask For, Where to Look, How to Get Your Hands on It
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Amons

Nancy Amons

Reporter, WSMV Nashville
Reporter Nancy Amons has spent more than 20 years breaking stories in Middle Tennessee. Follow Nancy on Twitter! She has been voted Tennessee Associated Press's Broadcast Journalist of the Year and has won two National Headliner awards, a Green Eyeshades award, seven Associated Press awards, a Silver Gavel, an Iris, four Emmys and awards from the American Women in Radio and TV, Mothers Against... Read More →
avatar for Mark Horvit

Mark Horvit

Associate Professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Mark Horvit is director of the State Government Reporting Program and an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He previously served as executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT
classroom
  Skill Building

12:15pm EDT

Lunch at Poynter
Thursday September 19, 2013 12:15pm - 1:30am EDT
Dining Room Poynter

1:30pm EDT

Local Political Fact-Checking: The Politifact Way
Speakers
avatar for Angie Drobnic Holan

Angie Drobnic Holan

Editor PolitiFact Florida / Deputy Editor of PolitiFact, PolitiFact
Editor of PolitiFact Florida and deputy editor of PolitiFact national. Angie Drobnic Holan is deputy editor of PolitiFact and the editor of PolitiFact Florida. She previously was a reporter and researcher and was a member of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
classroom
  Skill Building

3:15pm EDT

More Hands-On Data Visualization
Speakers
avatar for Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn

Sara Quinn teaches visual journalism, leadership and multimedia. She leads Poynter’s college fellowship and its partnerships with universities. Sara direced Poynter’s EyeTrack research of newspaper, tablet and online reading habits, which helps journalists determine the best... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Hands-On

3:15pm EDT

One-on-One Story Coaching: Bring Us Your Ideas!
During the week, you will see tons of story ideas and typically our participants want to get started on their own ideas right away.
Al and Nancy, who have a combined 70 years of journalism experience, will talk with you about your ideas and help you to refine them and make a plan of action.
Depending on how many people come to these sessions we may do them as a small group or individually.
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Amons

Nancy Amons

Reporter, WSMV Nashville
Reporter Nancy Amons has spent more than 20 years breaking stories in Middle Tennessee. Follow Nancy on Twitter! She has been voted Tennessee Associated Press's Broadcast Journalist of the Year and has won two National Headliner awards, a Green Eyeshades award, seven Associated Press awards, a Silver Gavel, an Iris, four Emmys and awards from the American Women in Radio and TV, Mothers Against... Read More →
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
classroom
  Skill Building

3:15pm EDT

More Hands-On Data
Speakers
avatar for Jaimie Dowdell

Jaimie Dowdell

Senior Training Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Jaimi Dowdell is Senior Training Director of Investigative Reporters and Editors. Since 2008, she's trained thousands of journalists in document- and data-driven reporting. She received the 2016 Spotlight Fellowship for Investigative Reporting and previously worked as computer-assisted... Read More →

Thursday September 19, 2013 3:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Newsroom and VJ Lab Poynter
  Hands-On
 
Friday, September 20
 

9:00am EDT

Your Ideas: Group Feedback
Develop ideas for stories that you want to work on and let the group coach your idea to make it stronger.
Speakers
GD

Friday September 20, 2013 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
classroom
  Group Discussion

11:00am EDT

Stories that Inspire Us
The presenters will each bring two stories that show what can happen when journalists, even those in small newsrooms with limited budgets, apply great skill and tanacity to their craft.
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Amons

Nancy Amons

Reporter, WSMV Nashville
Reporter Nancy Amons has spent more than 20 years breaking stories in Middle Tennessee. Follow Nancy on Twitter! She has been voted Tennessee Associated Press's Broadcast Journalist of the Year and has won two National Headliner awards, a Green Eyeshades award, seven Associated Press awards, a Silver Gavel, an Iris, four Emmys and awards from the American Women in Radio and TV, Mothers Against... Read More →
avatar for Jaimie Dowdell

Jaimie Dowdell

Senior Training Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Jaimi Dowdell is Senior Training Director of Investigative Reporters and Editors. Since 2008, she's trained thousands of journalists in document- and data-driven reporting. She received the 2016 Spotlight Fellowship for Investigative Reporting and previously worked as computer-assisted... Read More →
avatar for Mark Horvit

Mark Horvit

Associate Professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Mark Horvit is director of the State Government Reporting Program and an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He previously served as executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting... Read More →
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2013 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
classroom
  Group Discussion

12:00pm EDT

Lunch at Poynter
Friday September 20, 2013 12:00pm - 1:30am EDT
Dining Room Poynter

1:30pm EDT

Final Thoughts
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2013 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
classroom

2:00pm EDT

Graduation
Speakers
avatar for Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins

Senior Faculty, Poynter
Al Tompkins is the senior faculty for Broadcasting and Online at Poynter.He is the father of TEACHAPALOOZAHe is a licensed drone pilot. He teaches journalists and journalism all over the world. His client list includes NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, CTV, The United Nations, and dozens of TV... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2013 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
classroom
 
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