The New England First Amendment Coalition launched last year 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 will be 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.
Finding High Quality Data
for Stories
September 26 | 12 p.m. ET
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 attending this class, 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.
About Your Instructor
Margot Williams is the Research Editor for Investigations at The Intercept. Her career at the Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is one of the most respected in the investigative reporting world. She has pursued jihadis online and detainees who died in U.S. immigration detention, investigated Iraq war contractors, and followed the money (and private jets) of mayors, governors, senators, presidential candidates, and ex-presidents. And she has spread her passion for investigative journalism — and her incredible ferreting skills — at numerous international workshops over the years. During 14 years at the Washington Post, she was a member of two Washington Post Pulitzer Prize-winning teams, for a 1998 investigation of D.C. police shootings of civilians and then again in 2001 for national coverage of terrorism. In the aftermath of 9/11 at the Washington Post and later at the New York Times, she investigated the network of jets and shell companies involved in the transport of terrorism suspects among secret prisons around the globe. She compiled the first list of the Guantánamo detainees — years before their names were made public — and created the comprehensive Guantánamo database on the Times website. At ICIJ, Williams worked with the data and research team on the Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers, Luxembourg Leaks and the Implant Files. At The Intercept, Williams continues to update the Trial & Terror database and report from the Guantanamo military commissions.
Recent 30 Minute Skills Classes
Microsoft Excel 102 | 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 lesson, you will learn (1) how to create pivot tables from large datasets, (2) how to use pivot tables to generate findings for your stories and (3) other basic functions of Excel that can be used to begin database analysis.
Microsoft Excel 101 | The first step in database analysis is learning how spreadsheets function and how data can be used to share compelling stories. This is the first of two introductory classes on Microsoft Excel. By viewing this lesson, you will learn (1) how to sort and filter data imported into Microsoft Excel (2) how to use the sum, median, percent and whole functions and (3) other basic functions of Excel that can be used to begin database analysis.
How to Balance Newsgathering with Privacy Interests | 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 (1) what constitutes “invasion of privacy” under the law (2) the scope of First Amendment protection when reporting in public areas and (3) ways to stay within the legal bounds of privacy when newsgathering.
How to Diversify Your Sources |Diversifying your sources can help strengthen your credibility and improve your overall journalism practices. By viewing this lesson, you will learn (1) how diversifying sources can make journalists more trustworthy arbiters of the news (2) questions that can be asked while newsgathering to help diversify sources and (3) where to find resources to help build new source lists.
How to Navigate the Court System | 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 (1) how the court system operates and the levels of public access (2) the gatekeepers of information and where they can be found and (3) strategies and tips for reporters beginning to cover the courts.
How to Avoid Libel in Your Reporting | The line where First Amendment protection begins and ends isn’t always clear for those speaking critically of private and public figures. By attending our class, you will learn: (1) the seminal First Amendment cases addressing defamatory speech and recent developments in libel law (2) the current legal standards used to determine if speech is libelous and (3) good practices for you and your newsroom that will help avoid libel claims.
Interviewing Traumatized Sources | Thoughtless journalism can cause collateral damage to victims of trauma. Journalists must know how to cover sensitive stories without causing additional harm. By viewing this lesson, you will learn (1) how to build trust with victims and other vulnerable sources (2) how to motivate sources to share their story in empowering ways and (3) additional resources to use when covering stories involving victims of trauma.
Drone Journalism | Drones are increasingly being used by journalists to capture high-quality images and other types of data to help report important stories. By attending this class, you will learn: (1) the requirements needed to begin using drones in reporting (2) the laws, regulations and ethics governing drone use and (3) additional resources to help your newsroom begin using drones for newsgathering.
VIEW ALL CLASSES
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Leadership Circle donors include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters include Boston University, WBUR-Boston, the Academy of New England Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, Genie Gannett for the First Amendment Museum, Linda Pizzuti Henry, Connecticut Public and GBH-Boston.