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Researching Stories

Using Offline and Online Reporting Sources. Researching Stories. Methods of gaining human sources. Self-Sponsorship Matchmaking (snowballing) Strategic networking Blog searches. Pitfalls of Dealing with Sources. Anonymous sources On and off the record reporting Background sources

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Researching Stories

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  1. Using Offline and Online Reporting Sources Researching Stories

  2. Methods of gaining human sources • Self-Sponsorship • Matchmaking (snowballing) • Strategic networking • Blog searches

  3. Pitfalls of Dealing with Sources • Anonymous sources • On and off the record reporting • Background sources • Up and down the ladder pitfalls

  4. The Internet as a Reporting Source • The Internet can be an extremely valuable information source. • Journalists should treat information they find on the Internet the same way they treat any other information—with caution. • Merely delivering raw information is not journalism.

  5. E-Mail Related Sources • E-mail • Newsgroups • Listservs

  6. Using E-Mail • Benefits of time-shifting communication • Should not be used in place of telephone or in-person interviews • Why? • Can be a useful tool to • Establish initial contact • Check facts • Ask for follow-up information

  7. Using Newsgroups and Listservs • Can be havens for false information • Can also be good sources for background information or to help locate sources • Can lead to others who are working on the topic or who can be approached for advice • http://newslink.org/email.html • Can keep journalists up to date with current topics and provide a starting point for a story • Provides a human touch for reaction and impact • Identity issues?

  8. Web Page–Based Sources • General references sources • http://www.nytimes.com/navigator/ • Specialized sources • http://powereporting.com/ • Search engines • http://google.com/ • Directories • Find people: http://ojr.org/ojr/technology/1027538596.php • Online journalism sites • Databases

  9. Evaluating Web Site Owners • Dissect the different parts of the URL • Domain dissection • Check the InterNIC Web site to find the registered owner of a Web site • http://www.internic.net/

  10. Other Evaluation Criteria • Personal Web pages—journalists need to be skeptical and check any information found there • Other Web site items to check thoroughly: • Grammar and spelling • Overall design • Date for most recent update • Contact information • Be aware of actions of hackers

  11. Other Sources for Research • Semi-Public and private records • Lexis-Nexis • Gossip circles • The trash can … believe it.

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