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The Makings of Investigative Pieces . Comm2314.wordpress.com. What elements are needed? . A really good idea. One that makes you question everything in the story. Elements of possible corruption. Officials not doing their fiduciary responsibility. Could involve scandal. Other elements.
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The Makings of Investigative Pieces Comm2314.wordpress.com
What elements are needed? • A really good idea. • One that makes you question everything in the story. • Elements of possible corruption. • Officials not doing their fiduciary responsibility. • Could involve scandal.
Other elements • Does the idea – or the story – hurt others? • Does it effect a large majority of the population or a large group? • How does it harm them? Financially? Physically? Mentally? • Is someone getting bribed? • Is there a spider web? – aka people linked to trying to keep it hush hush.
Other elements… • Lack of assistance from the federal, state or local government agencies. • This can be due to the limitations in power and law. • This can also be due to the scheme that perhaps that they are tied to in some way.
Who will speak? • Many times – you will get someone that is willing to talk OFF the record – or what’s known as On Background. • If it’s off the record – and you can sense it may be a big story – then let them do it and take some notes. • Then ask them what they may be willing to go on the record with or if they know someone that will go ON the record for the piece.
On the Record • If, for whatever reason, you don’t get someone ON the record – but your gut tells you there IS something there – You have the following options: • Freedom of Information Request • Public Information Act. • This will take some time.
Initial pieces of the puzzle • If you’re freedom of request or PIA is met with resistance by a lawyer due to some “legalize” reason – then there is definitely something there. • Here’s what happens. • 1. You file your request to their records clerks. • 2. Records clerk gives it to lawyer. • 3. Lawyer denies your request and sends it to the Attorney General in an effort to stop or delay the request. • 4. A month later the Attorney General says yay or nay to your request.
Options continued…. • If the AG denies their request they HAVE to turn over the information you either originally requested or the information the AG feels is pertinent. • They have to get the information to you immediately. • Reason – they have already done the work and they already HAVE the documents. • The AG has reviewed them. • So the Documents are there.
In the mean time… • While you are waiting you can report and write that the organization’s lawyers are seeking to withhold your information. • This puts some heat on the issue. • Contact experts and seek their opinions. • And about 60 percent of the time they just hand you the paperwork.
What to do once you have it • You’re editor will give you a set amount of time to go over it and then you have to get to writing the story. • Once you are done reading through the information you contact the entity with questions about the information. • Ask why? How and what were you thinking? • They may refer you to a lawyer in which case you would direct the same questions to him.
How to get in touch with them. • Phone. • Email. Once it gets this heated you don’t want to text them. You don’t want to give them the chance to threaten you or contact you drunk.
The OTHER scenario • The AG agrees with the organization that they don’t have to give you the info. • What now? • Well – nothing now – now you just have to wait and keep that decision and try and find another way to report the story. • At this point you need someone to come forward and go on the record.
How long is an investigative piece • It depends. • It can be a series • It can be a huge piece that comes out one day. • Word count is usually about 1,000 words or more. • A series can range from 2-days worth of coverage to a week’s worth.
Who works on investigative pieces? • One reporter. • Or a team of reporters. • Depends on the amount of focus and angles the editor wants to touch on. • Depends on whether or not the news organization has the personnel to make up a team of reporters.
What else can it consist of. • It can have a history timeline of events that lead up to the current report. • It can have other graphics. • It can have pictures, photo galleries or videos.
Examples of Investigative stories • EPISD • El Paso MHMR: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_20989961/sonny-garcia-scheduled-plead-guilty-corruption-charges?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com • Los Angeles Caretaker scam: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-conservator11jan11,0,2120320.story
Frontline • http://video.pbs.org/video/2023963448 • Above is the second part of an investigative report done by investigative journalist Martin Smith reports on how online colleges are aggressively targeting military recruits with promises of success and how they fall flat on delivering that promise.
Assignments: • Read up on the L.A Times report. It will be online. • Also don’t forget to read and watch the news – quiz on Thursday. • Start thinking about an investigative story idea. • Thursday – we will do an in class exercise.
