The Reporter's Handbook

by Weinberg, Steve; Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.

• ISBN13: 9780312135966
• ISBN10: 0312135963
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1995-09-01
• Publisher: St Martins Pr

Summary

Reporters, editors, and journalists will find this third edition ofThe Reporter's Handbookan even more impressive resource than prior editions. This essential tool for serious journalists identifies hundreds of documents and human sources in both private and government sectors. It provides step-by-step methods for tracking paper trails, people trails, and computer trails. The book also includes coverage of library research, computer-assisted reporting, case studies, anecdotes, and IRE contest-winning pieces. This new edition features chapters on the environment, transportation, housing, financial institutions, international investigation, utilities, and non-profit organizations. Under the sponsorship of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc., Steven Weinberg has revised and polished this journalism classic into a must-have reference guide for the classroom and the newsroom.

Author Biography

Steve Weinberg is a nationally known investigative reporter. Former executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. (IRE), and executive director of The IRE Journal, he teaches at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He lives in Columbia, Missouri.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
About This Book	xix
PART ONE The Basics: How to Investigate Anyone or Anything
Introduction: Paper Trails And People Trails: An Overview	3	(13)
Choosing a Subject for Investigation	4	(1)
The Research Hypothesis	4	(1)
The Outer Ring: Secondary Sources	5	(1)
Having a ``Documents State of Mind,''	5	(1)
Human Sources	6	(1)
Research Techniques	6	(1)
Organizing the Information, Writing and Rewriting	7	(1)
Thinking Through the Conventional Wisdom	8	(1)
The Paul Williams Way	9	(4)
Conception	10	(1)
Feasibility Study	11	(1)
Go--No Go Decision	12	(1)
Basebuilding	12	(1)
Planning	12	(1)
Original Research	13	(1)
Reevaluation	13	(1)
Filling the Gaps	13	(1)
Final Evaluation	13	(1)
Writing and Rewriting	13	(1)
Publication and Follow-up Stories	13	(1)
More Books With Insight Into the Investigative Process	13	(3)
Secondary Sources: Working From the Outside In	16	(15)
Using Newspapers	17	(3)
Broadcast Sources	20	(1)
Magazines and Newsletters	20	(2)
Reference Books	22	(1)
Dissertations and Theses	23	(1)
Books	23	(1)
Secondary Sources on Computer Databases	24	(1)
The Internet	25	(1)
Database Searching in the Real World of Journalism	26	(2)
Using Libraries Efficiently	28	(3)
Primary Documents: Obtaining the Best Evidence	31	(17)
The Three ``I''s	33	(2)
The Social Security Number as Door Opener	35	(1)
Primary Documents as Entry Points	36	(1)
The Uniform Commercial Code Example	37	(1)
From UCCs to Tax Documents	37	(1)
Birth and Death Records in the States	38	(1)
Depository Libraries	39	(2)
The National Archives Systems	41	(1)
Primary Documents on Commercial Computer Databases	42	(1)
The Government's Own Computer Databases	43	(2)
Putting It All Together With Primary Sources	45	(3)
Computer-Assisted Information Gathering and Other Access Tools	48	(10)
Computers as More Than Sophisticated Typewriters	49	(1)
George Landau on Software	50	(2)
Getting Around Obstacles to Access	52	(1)
State Access Laws	53	(2)
Federal Access Laws	55	(3)
Access to Information About Other Nations and Across National Borders	58	(8)
Finding Information Across National Borders	58	(5)
The National Security Obstacle	63	(1)
So-called Personal Papers and Oral Histories	64	(2)
People Trails: Finding and Interviewing Sources	66	(25)
``Formers'' and ``Currents''	67	(2)
Tools for Finding People	69	(3)
Telephone Directories	69	(1)
City Directories	69	(1)
Workplace Directories	70	(1)
Informal Networks of ``Formers,''	70	(1)
Other Documents and Records	71	(1)
Whistleblowers	72	(1)
Outside Experts	73	(3)
Power Structures, Obvious and Obscure	76	(3)
Interviewing Those In and Out of Power	79	(1)
Interviewing	79	(12)
The Research Stage	79	(2)
Looking for Credentials Fraud in Resumes	81	(1)
Getting Ready to Pop the Questions	81	(1)
Getting in the Door	82	(2)
Asking the Questions, Dealing With the Answers	84	(3)
Notetaking and Other Matters of Accuracy	87	(4)
PART TWO Investigating Individuals, Institutions and Issues
Investigating Government: The Legislative Branch and Those Who Try to Influence It	91	(25)
Following the Dollar	93	(2)
Campaign Finance Records	95	(2)
The Many Pockets of a Politician's Coat	97	(2)
The World of Lobbyists	99	(3)
Financial Disclosures of Legislators	102	(2)
Resources and Perquisites in Office	104	(2)
Constituent Service and Reelection	106	(1)
From a Bill to a Law	107	(1)
Authorizations and Appropriations	108	(2)
Legislating Through Committees	110	(1)
Committees and the Function of Oversight	111	(1)
The Connection Between Legislating and Personal Character	111	(2)
Using Congressional Information for All Manner of Investigations	113	(1)
The Research Arms of the Legislature	113	(3)
Investigating Government: The Executive Branch	116	(29)
Probing an Agency's Mission	117	(1)
Probabilities of Corruption	118	(2)
Uncovering Conflicts of Interest	120	(2)
Scrutinizing the Top Executive	122	(1)
Cabinet Secretaries and Regulatory Commissioners	123	(1)
The Permanent Bureaucracy	124	(3)
Public Affairs Personnel as a Gateway to the Bureaucracy	127	(2)
The Budget and Management Watchdog	129	(1)
Making Sense of Agency Budgets	129	(3)
Who Gets the Money, and How	132	(2)
The Contracting Process	134	(3)
Informal Cost Estimates	134	(1)
Notice of Bid	135	(1)
Bid Specifications	135	(1)
Requests for Proposals	135	(1)
Product Preferences	135	(1)
Minority Contracting Requirements	136	(1)
Audit Requirements	136	(1)
Bid and Performance Bonds	136	(1)
Executive Branch Thievery	137	(1)
The Twilight Zones of Government: Public Authorities and Self-Regulatory Organizations	138	(1)
Inspectors General	139	(2)
Using the Federal Register	141	(4)
Investigating Government: Education	145	(38)
Covering Compulsory Education Versus Higher Education	146	(2)
Student Test Scores	148	(1)
Discipline of Students	149	(1)
Student Retention	150	(2)
Teacher and Administrator Competency	152	(3)
Instructional Materials, Tracking and Class Sizes	155	(3)
``Special Needs'' Students	158	(2)
Desegregation, Multiculturalism and Gender Equity	160	(1)
School Choice	161	(1)
Nonteaching Employees	161	(1)
School Buildings	162	(2)
Who Pays for Education?	164	(2)
Private Schools	166	(1)
Home Schooling	166	(1)
Preschools and Other Day Care	167	(1)
Beyond High School	168	(1)
Higher Education: The Big Picture	169	(2)
University Revenues and Expenditures	171	(2)
Students, in the Classroom	173	(2)
Students, Outside the Classroom	175	(1)
Faculty	176	(2)
Support Staff	178	(1)
Administrators	179	(1)
Governing Boards	179	(1)
Accreditation Documents as a Source of Information	180	(3)
The Self-Study	181	(1)
The Visiting Team Report	181	(1)
The Final Action	181	(1)
Follow-up Reports	181	(2)
Investigating Government: Law Enforcement	183	(34)
Monitoring Individual Law Enforcement Officers	186	(1)
Recruitment	186	(1)
Police Academy Training	187	(1)
Raises and Promotions	188	(1)
The Top Command	189	(1)
Discipline of Wayward Law Enforcement Officers	190	(2)
Edna Buchanan's Tips	192	(1)
Evaluating an Agency: Preventing and Investigating Crimes	193	(1)
Murder	193	(3)
Juvenile Criminals	196	(1)
Rape	196	(2)
Domestic Violence	198	(1)
Narcotics	198	(3)
Vice	201	(1)
Organized Crime and White-Collar Crime	202	(1)
Missing Persons	203	(1)
Burglary	204	(1)
Arson	205	(2)
Bombings	207	(1)
Traffic Patrol	207	(1)
Canine (K9) Corps	208	(1)
Civil Rights and Community Relations	209	(1)
Process Servers	209	(1)
Evidence Rooms	210	(1)
Crime Site Technicians, Crime Laboratories	210	(1)
Patrol Officers, Dispatchers and 911 Operators	211	(2)
Records Divisions and Public Information Officers	213	(1)
The Meaning of Crime Statistics	213	(1)
Law Enforcement Budgets	214	(1)
People Trails	215	(1)
Paper Trails	216	(1)
Investigating Government: The Judicial System	217	(53)
The Judicial System as a Political System	218	(3)
Corruption in the Courts	221	(1)
Between Arrest and First Court Appearance	222	(1)
Making Bail	222	(2)
Initial Appearance in Court	224	(1)
Pretrial Hearings	225	(1)
Assigning Cases to Judges	226	(1)
Investigating Judges	227	(2)
Investigating Prosecutors	229	(3)
Investigating Defense Attorneys	232	(2)
Choosing a Jury	234	(2)
The Trial	236	(3)
Wrongful Convictions	239	(2)
The Victims of Crime	241	(1)
Sentencing	242	(2)
Appeals	244	(3)
Probation, Parole, Commutations and Pardons	247	(2)
Prisons	249	(5)
Juvenile Cases	254	(3)
Civil Cases	257	(2)
Specialized Courts	259	(8)
Traffic Court	259	(1)
Municipal Court	260	(1)
Divorce Court	260	(2)
Probate Court	262	(1)
Small Claims Court	263	(1)
U.S. Claims Court	263	(1)
U.S. Tax Court	264	(1)
U.S. Bankruptcy Court	264	(2)
U.S. Military Courts	266	(1)
Court Budgets, Court Operations	267	(1)
Using Courts for Other Stories	268	(2)
Where Government and Private Sector Meet: Investigating Licensed Professionals	270	(9)
Licensing as a Window Into the World of Professionals	270	(1)
Uncovering Individual Fraud or Misconduct	271	(2)
The Process	273	(3)
Licensing	273	(1)
Performance Standards	274	(1)
Complaints and Investigations	274	(2)
Professional Associations as Sources	276	(1)
Investigating the Protectors	277	(2)
Investigating the Private Sector: For-Profit Businesses and Their Workers	279	(30)
Investigating a Takeover: One Prototype	280	(1)
Companies Whose Stock Is Traded Publicly	281	(1)
Other SEC Documents	282	(2)
Resources Outside the SEC	284	(3)
Federal Agencies	284	(2)
State and Local Agencies	286	(1)
Pulling It Together on the Paper Trail	287	(2)
Human Sources	289	(2)
Management-Worker Relations	291	(1)
Labor Unions	292	(3)
Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration	295	(1)
Safety and Health in the Workplace	296	(3)
Wage Enforcement	299	(2)
Pension, Health and Welfare Plans for Workers	301	(1)
State Employment Security Divisions	302	(2)
Labor Lawyers and the Courts	304	(1)
The Mintz Way	305	(4)
Investigating Charities and Other Non-For-Profits	309	(15)
Beyond the Bottom Line	311	(3)
The Bottom Line of Charities	314	(3)
Foundations	317	(2)
Fund-raising Techniques and Conundrums	319	(2)
Federal, State and Local Government Regulation	321	(1)
Summing Up: Boys Town and the Sun Newspapers	322	(2)
Investigating Health Care	324	(27)
Hospitals	327	(7)
Veterans Administration Hospitals	334	(1)
Emergency Medical Services	334	(1)
Health Maintenance Organizations	335	(2)
Nursing Homes	337	(3)
Mental Health Institutions	340	(1)
Home Health-Care Companies	341	(1)
Medical Laboratories	342	(1)
Blood Banks	343	(1)
Drug Companies	343	(2)
Pharmacies	345	(1)
Medical Device Companies	346	(1)
Individual Health-Care Providers	346	(3)
General Reference Sources	349	(2)
Investigating Insurance	351	(22)
Investigating the Sellers: Insurance Companies and Agents	352	(3)
Health and Disability Insurance	355	(2)
James Neff on MEWA Fraud	357	(1)
Life Insurance	358	(1)
Automobile Insurance	358	(2)
Investigating Homeowners and Other Property Insurance	360	(1)
Investigating Commercial and Professional Insurance Policies	361	(1)
Investigating the Regulators: State Insurance Commissioners	362	(2)
Investigating the Government as Insurer	364	(7)
Medicare	364	(1)
Medicaid	365	(2)
Workers' Compensation	367	(4)
Insurance Sources to Use Over and Over	371	(2)
Investigating Financial Institutions: Banks, Savings and Loans, Credit Unions, Investment Companies and Their Mutual Funds	373	(15)
Government Regulators as Sources of Information	374	(1)
Banks	375	(2)
Savings and Loans	377	(2)
Credit Unions	379	(1)
Farm Credit Banks	380	(1)
Mutual Funds and Other Investment Company Products	380	(2)
Redlining by All Types of Financial Institutions	382	(2)
Insider Transactions	384	(1)
High-Risk Transactions	385	(1)
Money Laundering	386	(1)
When a Financial Institution Collapses	386	(2)
Investigating Energy and Communications Utilities	388	(14)
Heating and Cooling Utilities	392	(2)
Nuclear Power Plants	394	(2)
Water Utilities	396	(1)
Polluting the Environment	397	(1)
Communications Utilities	398	(4)
Investigating Transportation	402	(19)
Government and Transportation	403	(2)
Land Transportation	405	(8)
Air Transportation	413	(5)
Water Transportation	418	(3)
Investigating Real Estate: Housing, Commercial Uses and Zoning	421	(15)
Who Owns the Land?	423	(4)
How Much Is the Land Worth?	427	(2)
Landlords and Tenants	429	(1)
Changing How the Land is Used: Zoning and Rezoning	430	(3)
Low-Income Housing and Homelessness	433	(2)
Land and Housing Fraud	435	(1)
Investigating Environmental Issues	436	(13)
Government Regulation of the Environment	438	(4)
Air Pollution	442	(1)
Water Pollution	443	(1)
Soil Pollution	444	(3)
Paper and Computer Trails and Human Sources	447	(2)
Investigating the World of the Disadvantaged	449	(20)
Documenting the World of Poverty	455	(2)
Aid to Families With Dependent Children	457	(2)
Child-Support Enforcement	459	(1)
Food Stamps	460	(1)
Child and Family Nutrition Programs Other Than Food Stamps	461	(2)
Government Social Service Bureaucracies	463	(1)
Children and Families	463	(6)
PART THREE Putting It All Together
Writing Compelling Projects	469	(19)
Getting the Details While Reporting	473	(2)
Avoiding Stereotypes While Collecting Details	475	(1)
Writing From an Outline, a Chronology or Both	476	(1)
Tension and Resolution	476	(2)
Leads: The Opening Sentences	478	(1)
Middles: Flow and Momentum	479	(4)
Finding the Appropriate Point of View and Tone	483	(1)
Endings	484	(1)
Story Structures	485	(1)
Literary Journalism as a Discipline	486	(2)
The Ethics and Accuracy of Investigative Journalism	488	(11)
Prentending to Be Other Than a Journalist	489	(1)
Obtaining Information Covertly	489	(1)
Ambush Interview	490	(1)
Exposing Private Behaviors of Public Figures	490	(1)
Unidentified Sources	491	(1)
The Golden Rule	492	(1)
Fawirness, Accuracy and the Law	493	(1)
Prepublication Review	494	(2)
The Line-by-Line Accuracy Check	496	(3)
Bibliography	499	(24)
Index	523