Tools: Crime Stats 101

Want to get more in-depth knowledge of crime reporting? Investigative Reporters and Editors has just put out its first e-book, Understanding Crime Statistics: A Reporter's Guide (2nd edition). It includes updates, reports and examples of crime journalism.

TAGS: tools

The Biz: New Non-Profit Seeks to Fill Local Gap

A non-profit local reporting outfit is starting in San Francisco in hopes of jumping into the gap left by declining newspapers, says this New York Times piece. This new model of localized non-profit reporting is fast taking root across the U.S. Similar projects are under way in Chicago, San Diego, Seattle and several smaller towns.

Is it the way of the future? I don't think this new model will replace the larger print media - which I think will always have a certain market and ad base in most cities. But there's no doubt it's part of the overall fragmentation and specialization of the media world. It breaks up the daily newspaper's monopoly on city markets, and it gives the public more information options. So I think it's to be applauded.

At the same time, the non-profit model is clearly catching on. Here is another such outfit highlighted recently at CBC investigative veteran Cecil Rosner's excellent blog: California Watch.

TAGS: the biz, future of journalism