Everything you have ever needed or wanted to know about Freedom of Information and your right to know.

2. alliances in journalism
Build a multi-platform story so it is sustainable. Some
outlets have used animated illustrations or cartoons.
Build your audience and revenue by sharing stories with
related media outlets (JRC papers) and others (NPR, The
Drudge Report). Cross promote work. Cross state lines.
Share money to send reporters to do leg work
Robert Rosenthal, Executive Director for the Center for
Investigative Reporting stressed that people want the
news. They don’t care about the source. Share resources.
The goal of journalism: make a difference.

3. tackling the story
Pair up with someone who knows how to work with data
Get everyone to help with one big story to contribute or
divide up the aspects like environmental v. criminal
Do a series to break it down into themes so you can provide
more context and analysis
Everyone is low on staff and time but New York Times
Investigative Reporter Walt Bogdanich said that is no excuse.
Reserve one day a week for the investigative story. Make a
timetable.
Find someone who is bitter and used to have power. Chat.

4. tackling the story, II
Discuss key issues that could be resolved through data
Record everything
Outline the story so you know what questions you’ll
have and you won’t have to call later.
Log the times you try to reach someone and can’t.
Obey the “no surprises” rule: everyone in the story
should know what’s coming
Work as hard to disprove something as you do to prove
it.

5. anonymous sources
Try not to use them; it can end badly in court.
Try to get leaked info from an official/ on record source
Readers are less likely to believe a fact/ quote coming from an
anonymous source
Ask for tips in the newspaper in a big way that can lead to
bigger stories. Ask for tips in a big, obnoxious box on A1.
For leaked documents: find out if the person in charge is pro-
press or anti-press, does CT have a shield law, would the source
agree to come forward if litigation ensues? If a document is
sealed, write a letter to the judge and petition to unseal it.
If an anonymous source intentionally lies, don’t be afraid to
burn them

6. computer assisted reporting
Document Cloud: an online system that works like
Google Docs that can be used when you get a huge
document dump. Best part? Other reporters can view it.
Use a company or town’s retention schedule: Tells you
all of the documents an organization keeps on file and how
long they have to keep them. Found online or by request.
Search previous FOI requests on the FOIC website to see
if a precedent has already been set and you can prove that
you should have immediate access to documents you
want.

7. searching the deep web
Google has LESS THAN HALF of what is available on the
Web. Use at least three search engines.
Any website you have to type wavy letters into, Google
can’t see.
Advanced Google Search: search a domain (.gov) or a file
type (excel or spread sheets)
Twingine (side by side
results), Yahoo.com, Alltheweb.com (gives you advanced
options), Complete Planet, Internet Public Library
See my FOI blog for specific search sites.

8. database reporting
Tools:
- Excel Spreadsheets
-used to sort data, make calculations, create charts, count
items
- Mapping
-Google Maps, ARC View
-show where issues are (people near a nuclear reactor)
- Build your own database
- New Haven Register’s homicide blog
When lost:
- Request “record layout” field list or “data dictionary” to help
translate

9. data dive
Search for specific data:
- Google.com/advanced-search
- Search the file type and topic i.e. CT drunk driving and .xls
will give you excel spreadsheets about that topic
Common database searches:
- payroll and salary
- parking tickets
- business licenses
- school test scores
- campaign donations
- government contracts

10. does FOI apply?
If you don’t think an organization is subject to FOI, try
this test:
- Check the level of government funding
- Was the entity created by government or not?
- What is the extent of the government’s involvement or
regulation?
- Does the organization perform a governmental function?
i.e. fire department

11. excuses, excuses
File complaints to hold officials accountable even if you don’t need
the information for the story anymore
If they say the cost is too high, tell them to itemize it.
Don’t put too much on one FOI request so they can’t say it wasn’t
specific enough
An agency can’t charge the media copying fees if they don’t fulfill a
request immediately. Also, records are free to inspect.
Ask for expedited processing so the request doesn’t take too long
Beware of the glomar response: can’t confirm or deny anything.
Write a story on the agency dragging its feet
“Shall” or “Must” = record is sealed. “May” = can be disclosed
Trade secrets are no longer secret if another party has seen them.

12. get your way
Tell them to redact any sensitive information in the
documents, then send it.
For personnel files, in the state of Connecticut they have to
prove invasion of privacy or you can have the documents.
Agencies that are private or non-profit but are doing public
jobs, i.e. volunteer fire departments, are subject to FOI in
Connecticut.
Exemptions don’t mean someone is prohibited from giving it
to you – they just don’t have to – so negotiate.
If a police document is sealed, get the warrant. They are
public after a few days of being served.
Write about where politicians stand on transparency: ask
what are three things you have done to promote transparency?

13. Security Exchange
Commission documents
10K: annual reports.
- Description of business, income
table, revenue, profits, balance sheet (cash and
debt), litigation, proprieties, employees, risk
factors, legal proceedings
10Q: quarterly reports.
- Updates on litigation (only important law suits listed)
8K: special events.
- Resignation of directors, key officers, earnings
release, acquisition or sale of business, other key financial
news

14. Security Exchange
Commission documents, II
DEF-14A: shareholder proxy.
- Bios on board members, bios on corporate
officers, executive/ director compensation, key
shareholders, related party transactions (conflicts of
interest)
- Tip: to find pay, search “summary compensation table”
- And “non-equity incentive plan compensation” is code
for bonus
S-1: initial public offering
- When a Company is selling stock for the first time, layout
of company’s financials and background

15. Security Exchange
Commission documents, III
Form D: Stock sale by a private firm
- Private companies report efforts to raise money, can be
used to find out about new/ hot startups, list of key
officers and directors
Investor forms:
- 13-F: Filed when mutual funds and large investors discuss
holdings
- 13-D: when someone is holding more than 5% of an org.

16. story ideas
Generally: things that upset you, things that break in your
life, injustices you notice in your own life.
Specifically:
- Response times for first responders. Can find out if people are
dying because of a slow response from EMTS, etc.
- Stadium food data v. vendor inspection reports (sports)
- Convicted attorneys in your county still practicing
- School bus driver records v. driving records
- Public Works Dept. and vacation days before snow
- School lunch fat content
- Bridges, dams, etc. falling apart
- Who is double dipping in their pensions and disability pay?

17. RESOURCES
WWW.INFORMATIONFREED.BLOGSPOT.COM