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.
Microsoft Excel 101
July 19 | 12 p.m. ET
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 attending this class, you will learn:
• How to sort and filter data imported into Microsoft Excel.
• How to use the sum, median, percent and whole functions.
• Other basic functions of Excel that can be used to begin database analysis.
Requirements for Class
• Access to Microsoft Excel
About Your Instructor
Jenifer McKim is a deputy investigative editor with the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. She specializes in social justice issues including criminal justice, child welfare and consumer debt. She has won numerous awards, including the national Edward R. Murrow Award, a Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism, and the Freedom of Information Award from the New England First Amendment Coalition. She was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service. Before joining the center in 2013, McKim worked as a staff writer at The Boston Globe, the Orange County Register in Southern California and the San Juan Star in Puerto Rico. She is a fellow of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Boston University.
Recent 30 Minute Skills Classes
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.
How to Verify Information Online | In an age of information overload, finding credible sources is increasingly difficult. By attending this class, you will learn: (1) tech tips to help verify information, including reverse image searching (2) how to identify bots and other fake social media accounts and (3) where to find open-source tools to assist in digital media investigations.
FERPA and Public Records | What is or is not a FERPA record has become more consequential during the COVID-19 pandemic given the increasing demand for school data. By viewing this lesson, you will learn: (1) more about the history and purpose of FERPA (2) under what circumstances and to what types of educational institutions FERPA applies and (3) how to best respond to public record denials that are incorrectly attributed to FERPA.
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.