Special track: Building investigative journalism centers and funding your own projects

Limited seating is available for a special track of Thursday panels that will talk about the challenges and solutions to the creation and operation of state or regional centers for investigative reporting. The sessions were organized in conjunction with Brant Houston, Knight Chair of Investigative Reporting at the University of Illinois, and are sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 1-1:50 p.m. Creating and managing an independent news organization. The nuts and bolts of starting and maintaining an organization, including models for developing different revenue streams.
  • Chuck Lewis, Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University
  • Andrew Donohue, voiceofsandiego.org
2-2:50 p.m. Getting through the first year. Those involved in new operations discuss their successes and challenges and share lessons learned.
  • Joe Bergantino and Maggie Mulvihill, New England Center for Investigative Reporting
  • David Cohn, Spot.Us
  • Andy Hall, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
3-3:50 p.m. Successful collaborations. Those with experience in working with other nonprofits, universities, traditional media, ethnic media and citizens discuss how such collaborative investigative efforts work and can enhance resources and diversity, while also discussing pitfalls to avoid.
  • Mark Horvit, IRE/NICAR (moderator)
  • Robert Rosenthal, Center for Investigative Reporting
  • Linda Jue, G.W. Williams Center for Independent Journalism
  • Bill Buzenberg, Center for Public Integrity
4-4:50 p.m. Making the best use of new technologies Experts and experimenters will talk about how to take advantage of current and developing technology and how to break from traditional newsroom strategies that fell short.
  • Emily Calhoun, Maplight.org
  • Jan Schaffer, J-Lab
5:10 to 6 p.m. Funding your work. Representatives of foundations discuss what they look for when considering projects to support, discuss their outlook on fostering new models for investigative reporting and offer tips and advice in putting together project proposals.
  • Sue Hale, Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation
  • Gary Kebbel, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation