According to investigative journalist James B. Steele, a ‘document state of mind’ is always assuming material with information you need exists and can be found. Reporting with this mindset will not only help you locate difficult-to-find information but will also strengthen your stories with more context and data.
By attending this free NEFAC 30-minute class, you’ll learn:
– The principles behind a “document state of mind” and how this perspective can help you.
– Key questions to ask that will lead you to documents and other information necessary for your stories.
– Useful sources of documents and good practices you can immediately incorporate into your reporting.
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 human trafficking, criminal justice, child welfare, and consumer debt. She has won numerous awards, including two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, 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.