March 2023

By Matt McCabe, IRE & NICAR

This year’s NICAR conference in Nashville reunited journalists for a week of training and learning. There were many resources for data and investigative journalism, and we have compiled a list of highlights from this year’s conference for broadcasters that you can listen to online.

How to make your data story pop on TV

In this session, three broadcast journalists shared their perspective on bringing big data stories to the screen. This session taught broadcasters how to dig deep, but still carry it over to audiences at home.

Speakers: Rosie Cima, EW Scripps; Josh Hinkle, KXAN/St. Edward's University; Zaneta Lowe, WREG-TV

Telling data stories in audio

Visualizing data can be difficult enough, but listening presents its own set of challenges. This session covered the best tips for conveying data journalism to the ear, whether for radio or TV.

Speakers: Justin Hicks, Louisville Public Media; Kelly Kenoyer, WHQR; Ben Schachtman, WHQR Public Media; Natasha Senjanovic, Independent journalist

Tools for statehouse reporting

Data lurks behind every level of government, but can sometimes be difficult to access. The panelists in this session explain how to follow finance and lobbying records to explain the actions of government officials.

Speakers: Jeremy Finley, WSMV-TV; Phil Williams, WTVF; Yue Yu, Bridge Michigan

Next steps after "no": What to do when your records request is denied

Making requests to government agencies for records can be tedious. Even after much back and forth, requests are often denied. In this session, journalists offer their insights for increasing your chances with records requests and how to cut down on response times.

Speakers: Kate Howard, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting; Jason Leopold, Bloomberg News; Gunita Singh, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Phil Williams, WTVF

More Resources

Check out these NICAR23 tipsheets, recordings and more!

• Tipsheets: Tipsheets, slides and other supplemental materials from conference presentations are now available on the IRE website: NICAR 2023 tipsheets.

• Audio: Audio recordings from some NICAR23 sessions are also available on the IRE website: NICAR 2023 audio recordings.

• More conference highlights: IRE training director Adam Rhodes wrote a blog post reflecting on their first NICAR on staff. Read the post for highlights from NICAR23.

• Swag shop: Did you attend the conference but forget a keepsake? We’ve got you covered with NICAR23 T-shirts, mugs and more. Check out the NICAR23 swag shop in IRE’s Shopify store.

• NICAR24 pitches: The 2024 NICAR Conference will be in Baltimore, March 7-10. Did NICAR23 spark an idea? Share your thoughts via our open call for NICAR24 pitches.

Don't miss these upcoming training opportunities!

• Webinar - How to make it as a freelancer in investigative & data journalism (April 11, Virtual): Whether you’re out there by choice or necessity, learn from freelancing experts on how they've been able to become their own boss. Free for IRE members; $25 for non-members.

• Mini-Bootcamp online - DataViz (April 17-20, Virtual): This online mini-bootcamp will dive deep into the fundamentals of data visualization for the web. Pricing for members varies: $200-$600.

• IRE Jeff German Investigative Workshop (April 22-23, Las Vegas): This two-day training workshop, named in honor of the slain Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter, will feature discussion from his colleagues along with sessions focusing on watchdog story ideas, public records and more. Price for members: $75; $25 for students; $40 add-on for optional Sunday hands-on training.

• IRE23 (June 22-25, Orlando, FL): IRE will be back in Orlando this summer and we can’t wait! Register now to get the early-bird rate of $325 for professional, academic, associate and retired members. Student members can register at any time for $100.

• AccessFest (October 12-14, Virtual): AccessFest is IRE’s annual virtual-by-design conference designed for accessibility. The conference will provide training focused on belonging, equity and inclusion in the newsroom and improving coverage of inequities in journalists' communities. Early-bird pricing is $149; $50 for students.