Freedom of Information

How and why journalism is changing and how you can find out what’s really going on

Alexandra

Sanders

alliances in journalism

● Build a multi-platform story so it is sustainable. Some outlets have used animated illustrations or cartoons.● Build your audience and revenue by sharing stories with related media outlets (JRC papers) and others (NPR, The Drudge Report). Cross promote work. Cross state lines.●Share money to send reporters to do leg work● Robert Rosenthal, Executive Director for the Center for Investigative Reporting stressed that people want the news. They don’t care about the source. Share resources.● The goal of journalism: make a difference.

Computer assisted reporting

● Document Cloud: an online system that works like Google Docs that can be used when you get a huge document dump. Best part? Other reporters can view it.● Use a company or town’s retention schedule: Tells you all of the documents an organization keeps on file and how long they have to keep them. Found online or by request.● Search previous FOI requests on the FOIC website to see if a precedent has already been set and you can prove that you should have immediate access to documents you want.

excuses, excuses

● File complaints to hold officials accountable even if you don’t need the information for the story anymore● If they say the cost is too high, tell them to itemize it.● Don’t put too much on one FOI request so they can’t say it wasn’t specific enough● An agency can’t charge the media copying fees if they don’t fulfill a request immediately. Also, records are free to inspect.● Ask for expedited processing so the request doesn’t take too long●Beware of the glomar response: can’t confirm or deny anything.● Write a story on the agency dragging its feet● “Shall” or “Must” = record is sealed. “may” = can be disclosed● Trade secrets are no longer secret if another party has seen them.

Get your way

● Tell them to redact any sensitive information in the documents, then send it.● For personnel files, in the state of Connecticut they have to prove invasion of privacy or you can have the documents.● Agencies that are private or non-profit but are doing public jobs, i.e. volunteer fire departments, are subject to FOI in Connecticut●Exemptions don’t mean someone is prohibited from giving it to you – they just don’t have to – so negotiate.● If a police document is sealed, get the warrant. They are public.● Write about where politicians stand on transparency: ask what are three things you have done to promote transparency?

Does FOI apply?

● If you don’t think an organization is subject to FOI, try this test:

-Check the level of government funding-was the entity created by government or not?-What is the extent of the government’s involvement or regulation?-Does the organization perform a governmental function? i.e. fire department

database reporting

● Tools:- Excel Spreadsheets -used to sort data, make calculations, create charts, count items- Mapping -Google Maps, ARC View -show where issues are (people near a nuclear reactor)- Build your own database - our homicide blog●When lost: -request “record layout” field list or “data dictionary” to help translate

data dive

● Search for specific data: -Google.com/advanced-search -search the file type and topic i.e. CT drunk driving and .xls will give you excel spreadsheets about that topic● Common database searches: -payroll and salary-parking tickets-business licenses-school test scores-campaign donations-government contracts

Security Exchange Commission documents

● 10K: annual reports.- Description of business, income table, revenue, profits,

balance sheet (cash and debt), litigation, proprieties, employees, risk factors, legal preceedings

● 10Q: quarterly reports.- Updates on litigation (only important suits listed)● 8K: special events.- Resignation of directors, key officers, earnings release, acquisition or sale of business, other key financial news

Security Exchange Commission documents, II

● DEF-14A: shareholder proxy.- Bios on board members, bios on corporate officers,

executive/ director compensation, key shareholders, related party transactions (conflicts of interest)

- Tip: to find pay, search “summary compensation table”- And “non-equity incentive plan compensation” is code

for bonus●S-1: initial public offering- When a Company is selling stock for the first time, layout of company’s financials and background

Security Exchange Commission documents, III

● Form D: Stock sale by a private firm- Private companies report efforts to raise money, can be

used to find out about new/ hot startups, list of key officers and directors

● Investor forms:- 13-F: Filed when mutual funds and large investors discuss holdings- 13-D: when someone is holding more than 5% of an org.

tackling the story

● Pair up with someone who knows how to work with data● Get everyone to help with one big story to contribute or divide up the aspects like environmental v. criminal● Do a series to break it down into themes so you can provide more context and analysis● Everyone is low on staff and time but New York Times Investigative Reporter Walt Bogdanich said that is no excuse. Reserve one day a week for the investigative story. Make a timetable.● Find someone who is bitter and used to have power. Chat.

tackling the story, II

● Discuss key issues that could be resolved through data● Record everything● Outline the story so you know what questions you’ll have and you won’t have to call later.●Log the times you try to reach someone and can’t.● Obey the “no surprises” rule: everyone in the story should know what’s coming● Work as hard to disprove something as you do to prove it.

anonymous sources

● Try not to use them; it can end badly in court.● Try to get leaked info from an official/ on record source● Readers are less likely to believe a fact/ quote coming from an anonymous source● Ask for tips in the newspaper in a big way that can lead to bigger stories. Make it a big, obnoxious box on A1.● For leaked documents: find out if the person in charge is pro-press or anti-press, does CT have a shield law, would the source agree to come forward if litigation ensues? If a document is sealed, write a letter to the judge and petition to unseal it.● If an anonymous source intentionally lies, don’t be afraid to burn them

story ideas

● Generally: things that upset you, things that break, injustices you notice in your own life●Specifically:- Response times for first responders. Can find out if people are dying because of a slow response- Stadium food data v. vendor inspection reports (sports)- Convicted attorneys in your county still practicing- School bus driver records v. driving records- Public Works Dept. and vacation days before snow- School lunch fat content- Bridges, dams, etc. falling apart- Who is double dipping in their pensions and disability?

searching the deep web

● Google has LESS THAN HALF of what is available on the Web. Use at least three search engines.● Any website you have to type wavy letters into, Google can’t see.● Advanced Google Search: search a domain (.gov) or a file type (excel or spread sheets)● Twingine (side by side results), Yahoo.com, Alltheweb.com (gives you advanced options), Complete Planet, Internet Public Library● See my FOI blog for specific search sites.

RESOURCES

WWW.INFORMATIONFREED.BLOGSPOT.COM