The New England First Amendment Coalition recently launched a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment.
The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism and First Amendment law.
The lessons are provided in a 30-minute format to accommodate the demanding schedules faced by many working in New England newsrooms.
The program is free and open to the public. Registration for each lesson is required.
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Finding High Quality Data for Stories
Instructor: Margot Williams | The Intercept
Before using data cleaning and visualization tools, it’s important to first obtain the most relevant datasets. Your reporting will improve with the quality of the data you use. By viewing this lesson, you will learn:
• How to use tools other than Google to find databases.
• How to find databases from other countries.
• Tips on where to find databases that aren’t online.
Microsoft Excel 102
Instructor: Jenifer McKim | GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting
The first step in database analysis is learning how spreadsheets function and how data can be used to share compelling stories. This is the second of two introductory classes on Microsoft Excel. By viewing this class, you will learn:
• How to create pivot tables from large datasets.
• How to use pivot tables to generate findings for your stories.
• Other basic functions of Excel that can be used to begin database analysis.
How to Balance Newsgathering with Privacy Interests
Instructor: Gregory V. Sullivan | Counsel to Union Leader Corp.
The line between responsible public interest reporting and the invasion of individual privacy can often be difficult to see. By viewing this lesson, you will learn:
• What constitutes “invasion of privacy” under the law.
• The scope of First Amendment protection when reporting in public areas.
• Ways to stay within the legal bounds of privacy when newsgathering.
How to Diversify Your Sources
Instructor: Neema Roshania Patel | The Washington Post
Diversifying your sources can help strengthen your credibility and improve your overall journalism practices. By viewing this lesson, you will learn:
• How diversifying sources can make journalists more trustworthy arbiters of the news.
• Questions that can be asked while newsgathering to help diversify sources.
• Where to find resources to help build new source lists.
How to Navigate the Court System
Instructor: Roy S. Gutterman | Syracuse University
Accessing local, state and federal courts can be an intimidating task. It can often be a challenge to obtain information about hearings, attend proceedings and receive copies of judicial records. By viewing this lesson, you will learn:
• How the court system operates and the levels of public access.
• The gatekeepers of information and where they can be found.
• Strategies and tips for reporters beginning to cover the courts.
How to Avoid Libel in Your Reporting
Instructor: Gregory V. Sullivan | Malloy & Sullivan
The line where First Amendment protection begins and ends isn’t always clear for those speaking critically of private and public figures. By viewing this class, you will learn:
• The seminal First Amendment cases addressing defamatory speech and recent developments in libel law.
• The current legal standards used to determine if speech is libelous.
• Good practices for you and your newsroom that will help avoid libel claims.
How to Respond to a Subpoena
Instructor: Matt Byrne | Gravel & Shea
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, at least 85 journalists have received subpoenas since 2017. These legal orders can be intimidating and infringe on your rights as a journalists. By completing this lesson, you will learn about:
• The history of subpoenas and their legal authority.
• Arguments and strategies that can be made in response to a subpoena.
• How to advocate for yourself and newsroom when in court.
How to Protect Women Journalists
Instructor: Karin Nazish | Coalition for Women in Journalism
With newsrooms often lacking effective support systems, women journalists are regularly belittled, have their professionalism questioned and endure mistreatment strictly based on their gender. By viewing this class, you will learn about:
• The types of threats currently facing women journalists.
• How to protect yourself from online trolling.
• How to stay safe at protests and large demonstrations.
Data Visualization 101
Instructor: Eli Sherman | WPRI-12 Providence
While there are encouraging signs that COVID-19 in New England is becoming less severe, telling stories using data will continue to be an important skill for journalists covering any beat. By viewing this class, you will learn about:
• How to find and obtain reliable COVID-19 data.
• How to create simple data visualizations using free online tools.
• How to identify story ideas from that data.
HIPAA and Public Records
Instructor: Adam A. Marshall | Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, is one of the most misunderstood laws. Government officials often incorrectly cite the 25-year-old federal statute. By completing this lesson, you will learn:
• The history and purpose of HIPAA.
• Under what circumstances and to what types of entities HIPAA applies.
• How to best respond to public record denials that are incorrectly attributed to HIPAA.