SLIDE 1
Fighting for Data: Journalists and Access to Public Records Ira - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Fighting for Data: Journalists and Access to Public Records Ira - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Fighting for Data: Journalists and Access to Public Records Ira Chinoy Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland Watchdog journalism Watchdog journalism Public records Watchdog journalism Public
SLIDE 2
SLIDE 3
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records”
SLIDE 4
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news …
SLIDE 5
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web
SLIDE 6
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles
SLIDE 7
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles Daily drama, chilling effect
SLIDE 8
“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles Daily drama, chilling effect The takeaway: A challenge to the HCI community
SLIDE 9
Computer-assisted reporting
SLIDE 10
SLIDE 11
SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS
NAME DATE OF BIRTH EMPLOYER NAME DATE OF BIRTH INFRACTION NAME DATE OF BIRTH EMPLOYER NAME DATE OF BIRTH INFRACTION
SLIDE 12
SLIDE 13
SLIDE 14
SLIDE 15
SLIDE 16
SLIDE 17
SLIDE 18
SLIDE 19
SLIDE 20
SLIDE 21
SLIDE 22
SLIDE 23
CNS stories using databases of public records:
Consumer complaints Prison violence Boating safety enforcement Train accidents Amusement rides Subprime loans Unsolved homicides Leaking underground oil storage tanks Campaign finance Lawyer discipline
SLIDE 24
SLIDE 25
SLIDE 26
Federal: Freedom of Information Act Maryland (at the state, county, and local levels): Public Information Act
SLIDE 27
SLIDE 28
SLIDE 29
SLIDE 30
SLIDE 31
SLIDE 32
SLIDE 33
SLIDE 34
SLIDE 35
SLIDE 36
SLIDE 37
We've never done that before.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 38
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 39
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 40
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 41
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 42
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in. We don't think you'll understand the data / technology, you'll mess it up.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 43
We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in. We don't think you'll understand the data / technology, you'll mess it up. We'd love to give it to you but it violates our contract with the software company.
We don't know how to do that. We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 44
A Maryland Case
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 45
A Maryland Case
Documentation
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 46
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 47
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields Format
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 48
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields Format Cost
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 49
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields Format Cost Time
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 50
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields Format Cost Time Luck
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 51
A Maryland Case
Documentation Fields Format Cost Time Luck Data and a story
We don't know how to do that.
SLIDE 52
SLIDE 53
The fear factor …
SLIDE 54
The fear factor … … a continuum
SLIDE 55
Other factors …
Administrators, public information officers, and attorneys with inadequate training, experience, and support for handling database requests. An agency culture in which requests for records are treated as an intrusion. Inadequate budgeting to deal with public records requests. Limited repercussions for the “just say no” approach to requests.
SLIDE 56
Tactics …
Information has context. Finding out about it first can help you understand what data they keep, why they keep it, how they keep it. Ask to speak directly to the staff who manage the
- database. Avoid second-hand exchanges of information.
Know the law. Look for common ground. Explore the logic – and illogic – of baffling excuses. Understand the fears … and address them.
SLIDE 57
Strategy … Are there alternatives to case-by-case battles, well upstream of them?
SLIDE 58
Policies already require: Environmental Impact Statements Fiscal Notes Set-Aside Programs & Diversity Checklists How about: Public Records Assessments
- r
Information Impact Statements
SLIDE 59
A challenge and an opportunity for interdisciplinary research, policy development, and new tools
SLIDE 60