The Biz: Can Investigative Reporting Save the Media?

What hope is there for investigative journalism amid the news of media layoffs and cuts to editorial budgets? Actually, lots, says Phil Williams, board member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. In this piece on the IRE blog, Williams, chief investigative reporter at the CBS affiliate in Nashville, Tenn., says some smart media managers are actually beefing up investigative reporting during the tough times because it's a proven way to get more viewers and readers. The item also talks about how reporters can deliver this message to their higher-ups.

These issues will get a good airing at the IRE annual conference in Baltimore June 11 to 14, which Williams plugs. And a plug from me: the Canadian Centre for Investigative Reporting (of which yours truly is v-p) is working on a panel discussion/fundraisier on this very issue in Toronto in the coming months. Stay tuned.

TAGS: future of journalism, Canadian Centre for Investigative Reporting, the biz

Books: Age of the Terminator

The Age of the Terminator is here. The science fiction-y era of killer robots hunting down bad guys, with nary a human input, is more upon us than we realize, says military analyst Peter Singer, who was coordinator of President Obama's defense policy task force during his campaign. In this interview at MotherJones.com, Singer talks about the scary developments he uncovered while writing his new book, Wired for War.

TAGS: military, investigations, books, technology

Tools: Aviation Story Research Databases and Resources

Following the U.S. Airways crash in the Hudson River, Investigative Reporters and Editors has posted a link highlighting its great aviation-related webpage, which includes plenty of databases on aircraft types, accident records, airline regulatory info, tip sheets and aviation-related investigative stories.

TAGS: tools, aircraft