Author Archives: Barbara Fought

Apr 08

Watchup: New Way to Get News

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Barbara Fought

I think I see where local and national TV newscasts may be headed — to a customizable newscast on a tablet.  Although it’s been around for nearly two years, I just discovered Watchup. This tablet app, designed by European journalist … Read More →

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Apr 01

The Skimm: An Edgy Way to Get News

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Barbara Fought

Capturing the eyes of young women professionals and delivering the news — that’s the goal of a new daily newsletter, The Skimm. Right now it only comes in email. I was turned on to it by one of my students. … Read More →

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Mar 21

Tips on Verifying Video from Others

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Barbara Fought

I’ve been writing several posts about all I’m learning in the  Verification Handbook. It’s new, free, and worthwhile. Download it on a mobile device and read it over the next few weeks. The chapter writer, Malachy Browne, from Storyful, says … Read More →

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Mar 11

Tips from BBC Pro on Verifying Photos

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Barbara Fought

We’re getting a lot of snow, even blizzard conditions, in Central New York and I wonder if bogus snow pictures will find their way around the Internet. In the new Verification Handbook (a definitive guide to verifying digital content for emergency … Read More →

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Mar 03

Reminders on Verifying Information

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Barbara Fought

Every time I teach interviewing I tell students one of the questions that should always be on the tip of their tongue is, “how do you know that.” I  promised some takeaways from the new Verification Handbook (see previous blog … Read More →

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Feb 24

New “Verification Handbook” is a Must-Read

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Barbara Fought

You’ve seen the picture of the Statue of Liberty with the swirling blue and gold clouds around it, right?  A fake.  Or the shark swimming next to the homes? Both went viral during Hurricane Sandy. Both creations. Fake. Never-happened. So … Read More →

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Feb 10

Check For State Databases To Undergird Reporting

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Barbara Fought

In the last post, I talked about finding people through public records.  What about finding data in public records or knowing what available in databases? When you are in a crunch in a breaking news story or when you need … Read More →

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Jan 28

Using Public Records to Find People

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Barbara Fought

Public records have a lot of information about people, as well as records.   Here are 5 tips for ferreting out people through government records: 1. Get the county or region’s pet registry. People who won’t give their names or addresses … Read More →

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Jan 16

5 Tips for Finding People

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Barbara Fought

Get your new year off to a good start with a new plan for how to diversify your sources. Here are 5 tips: 1. Need a real person, not an official?  Someone who is “living” the story you are doing?  … Read More →

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Jan 06

5 Tips for Finding Stories in the New Year

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Barbara Fought

One of our recent alums, a new TV reporter, emailed me recently asking for my handouts and tips on finding stories.  She’s struggling to come up with a couple pitches each day.  I think it’s one of the hardest parts … Read More →

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