Category Archives: Databases

Jul 15

Celebrate the FOIA Anniversary by Sending One

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Barbara Fought

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act, which gives citizens, as well as journalists, insights into the workings of their government. Under this law, citizens can ask for any records kept by the government.  They … Read More →

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Jul 28

Public Records Requests Lead Reporters To Good Stories

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Barbara Fought

WHTM-TV’s Amanda St. Hilaire says her trick for finding good stories is to file public records requests every week.  A general assignment reporter,  3.5  years out of college and at her second station, St. Hilaire says these requests net a … Read More →

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Jul 01

Google’s Research Guru Dan Russell Offers Weekly Tips That Can Make You A Better Searcher

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Barbara Fought

note: after 6 months, ReadyReporter is back and ready to give you more tips for quicker, better, smarter reporting. One of the most popular seminars at the Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference each year is the one led by Goggle’s … Read More →

Posted in Databases, Searching, Uncategorized, Verifying Information | Leave a comment
Dec 17

Google Brings Back Its Free News Archive

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Barbara Fought

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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Dec 10

Find Surplus Military Equipment Given to Local Police

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Barbara Fought

I commend the Syracuse Media Group and reporter Michelle Breidenbach for scouring the Defense Logistics Agency to find out about the cast-off armored vehicles that the feds gave to our local police.  In a series of stories she reported that … Read More →

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Nov 07

Help For Students (and Professionals) on the Job Hunt

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Barbara Fought

I just talked with a student who is being graduated in December about how to look for jobs. So it’s that time again. Earlier I posted a list of six free job sites for those interested in jobs in radio, … Read More →

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Oct 17

Where Do Most Muslims Live?

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Barbara Fought

After 9/11 I got involved in an interfaith women’s group and met, for the first time, some Muslim women. I’m pleased to say several have become friends. I’ve learned a lot from them. One thing is about where Muslims live. … Read More →

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Sep 26

Quick Trick to Find Candidate’s Supporters

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Barbara Fought

It’s political season. Perhaps you want to find a good source who is supporting Candidate X.  You want something better than person-on-the-street interviews. One underused source for who is supporting a certain candidate is your state or federal elections website. … Read More →

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Sep 11

Apps Journalists Need: Federal Government

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Barbara Fought

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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Aug 11

Check What Corporations Get Government Subsidies

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Barbara Fought

I continue to be amazed at the online resources that I didn’t know about. I just learned about a website that allows you to look at what corporate tax breaks and subsidies are handed out by city and county governments. … Read More →

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