Category Archives: Backgrounding for News Stories

Jul 05

Eid al-Fitr Is Likely an Underreported Story

Today is Eid al-Fitr, one of the holiest days for Muslims. It’s the end of Ramadan, the season of fasting and prayer  (see previous post or read more here).   I haven’t seen many stories in local or national media about … Read More

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Jun 13

Learn More About Guns in Light of #Orlando

I am not very familiar with guns and think I should be. I think all journalists should be.  In light of the shootings in Orlando, some of the resources I mentioned in a previous post are still valid: a primer … Read More

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Aug 13

Alert Services Helped Producer During Breaking News

If you tuned into WXII-TV at 11 p.m. on June 17, you’d have heard live phone interviews with two people in Charleston, S.C., explaining the chaos following a shooting at a local church. The story, as you know now, captivated … Read More

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Jul 14

Wayback Machine Helps Reporters Sleuth Out Information

Last week when federal authorities raided the Indianapolis-area home of Jared Fogle, WFYI-FM’s reporter Ryan Delaney immediately scrambled to get reaction. Fogel, the spokesperson for Subway, gained fame for losing more than 200 pounds by eating the chain’s low-fat sandwiches. While Ryan knew … Read More

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Dec 17

Google Brings Back Its Free News Archive

I’m giving a big shout-out to Barry Swartz at Search Engine Land for the tip that we can again search Google News for stories from the past. This option has been gone for more than three years. So all you … Read More

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Nov 26

Website To Get Background on Controversial Issues

I have to credit National Public Radio for tipping me off to a website that I didn’t know about and should have.  It’s been around 10 years. So I want to make share it with you.   ProCon.org  includes various … Read More

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Sep 11

Apps Journalists Need: Federal Government

You’re out in the field and you need some quick information about the federal government. Don’t hop on Google.  You can go right to many federal agencies directly. No need to page through that long Google list nor risk getting … Read More

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Jun 20

Writing a FOIA Letter is Easy

I’m about to head to Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference next week and remembered that last year I vowed I would write several FOIA letters, both to see what databases I could get, plus to model good practice for students. … Read More

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Jun 11

Needs Stats on Occupations or Job Salaries?

I did a double-take at the info from Kate Martin, government reporter at the  Tacoma News Tribune.  There’s almost five public relations specialists for every reporter, she noted in a posting on the website for Investigative Reporters and Editors. It’s actually … Read More

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Dec 18

25th Anniversary of Lockerbie Disaster

Twenty-five years this Saturday.  December 21, 1988. A bomb blew up Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. You might be doing a short story about the anniversary, especially if any of those killed had ties to your area. We, at … Read More

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