class information

Some class descriptions will have links to relevant handouts, please go to the class you are interested in to see if a handout is available. This page will be updated continuously up to the beginning of the summer school. Some classes will only have handouts in hard copy on the day.

contents

keynote speeches

wikileaks with Julian Assange
WikiLeaks is one of the most important developments in critical journalism. Started four years ago, it provides a secure publishing platform for leaked, sensitive documents while protecting the whistleblowers who make them available. WikiLeaks describes itself as an "uncensorable system for untraceable mass document leaking". It is available to anyone who has documents of obvious political, diplomatic, or ethical interest.

bad science with Ben Goldacre
Ben Goldacre is one of the most prominent science writers in the UK, his weekly Bad Science column in The Guardian and online blog engage the public with satirical criticism of the inaccuracies and scaremongering which cloud the public's understanding of scientific issues. In this talk he will look at how you can unpick inaccurate scientific claims.

when farmers die - inequality, agrarian distress and the media with P Sainath
In 2006-08, Maharashtra in India saw 12, 493 farm suicides. That is 85 per cent higher than the 6,745 suicides it recorded during 1997-1999. And the worst three-year period for any State, any time. P Sainath has researched extensively into why this is happening and talks about his work, as well as how this story is reported by the media.

the inside story of Trafigura - old and new methods with David Leigh and Paul Farrelly MP
How a combination methods - parliamentary privilege (old-fashioned), cross-border co-operation (innovative) and the internet (new-fangled) - were used to defeat cover-ups by lobbyists and lawyers, and expose the scientific facts.

Read an article about the super injunction

talks

Friday 9 July

how to get the most out of Companies House with Robert Miller
Any UK-based investigative journalist or aspirant journalist should have a working knowledge of Companies House. Companies House is the central registry for all UK registered limited or plc companies and contains a wealth of useful information- if you know how to use the site. The aim of this class is to show people how to get the best out of the official website such as important short-cuts as well as pointing out what can't be found here. The class will give ample time for questions and queries and is an absolute must for anybody who does not feel confident in using this vital tool for investigators.

understanding company accounts 1-3 with Raj Bairoliya
This three-part strand with one of Britain’s top forensic accountants Raj Bairoliya from FTI Consulting is for anyone who needs to understand company accounts to get beyond the corporate PR spin. It will explain how to understand the profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements plus those all important accountancy procedures and notes. At the end you should be able to recognise a potential Enron when you find one!
It is important to attend all three classes, as you will not be able to just join at any point.

libel and related issues legal update with Philip Conway and Justin Walford
The class will cover libel, privacy and the Press Complaints Commission and how recent cases have affected the law. The PCC's Editors Code of Practice will be used duing this session.

information is beautiful a demo with David McCandless
In an age of information overload, the demand for clear, beautiful, condensed designed information has never been greater. The use of visual forms of information is a rising trend across many disciplines: science, design, journalism and web. At the same time, daily exposure to the web is creating a incredibly visually literate population. Could the two be linked?

David will explore the exciting potential of this merging of design, information, text and story. And the strange - and often wonderfully unexpected - things that happen when you visualise data, knowledge and ideas. Using examples from his new book and blog, he'll share thoughts on what makes a successful information visualisation and journalistic tips, especially for researchers, on how to zero in on interesting data and subjects. And, admitting that his book is as full of mistakes as it is successes, he'll also explore some of the common pitfalls, traps and failures that dog this young design form.

everything you wanted to know about using statistics but were afraid to ask. With Connie St Louis and Andrew Garratt
In this session you will learn how to read the numbers and turn statistics into stories.

SCIENCE: finding the truth behind medical headlines. With Alicia White and Vivek Muthu.
MMR; miracle cures and superfoods: how do you separate fact from fiction? In this session, we'll be sharing our insights into how medical research gets distorted en route from researcher, via journal, to headline; how conclusions get stretched and studies misrepresented. Using practical examples, we'll discuss some simple tricks and rules of thumb that can help you spot common types of hype and avoid problematic errors of interpretation.

quick draw: how to visualise news-based data in real time
Data is everywhere, not least in news, where a range of events are spawning real-time data sets that benefit from visualisation.

How do you do it? We use a recent case study from The Times - the General Election - to show how you can put together the pieces: capture and clean a live, updating data set, merge data from different sources, and visualise them. (We also look at how to overcome some of the hurdles you might encounter on the way.) Plus, we look at ways to add editorial value to data-driven apps, and make them feel less algorithmic, and more journalistic.

Saturday 10 July

exposing spin by David Miller
David Miller, co-founder of Spinwatch, an independent non-profit making organisation which monitors the role of public relations and spin in contemporary society. Spinwatch was founded in 2004 and promotes greater understanding of the role of PR, propaganda and lobbying through its website (www.spinwatch.org) and through other outreach and campaigning activities, including media appearances, book and pamphlet writing, 'Spinwalks' and investigative reporting.

story based investigation 1: a method through the madness by Mark Hunter
Investigation has a dirty name with editors, who think it's about slowly rummaging through piles of garbage till you (don't) find a jewel. Too often, they're right. This session will show you how to define your investigation as a story from the start, using hypotheses - stories based on facts that can be verified - and a chronology that will be the backbone when you start to write. This method helps you figure out what to look for, how to look for it and how to sell it to the boss and the public.

story based investigation 2: scene-setting and source-mapping with Luuk Sengers
The hypothesis is the first of three creative steps before you actually start investigating. Step two is to turn the hypothesis into 'scenes' (for a meaningful and suspenseful story). Step three is finding the right sources for these scenes, by crafting a detailed 'source map', with people and paper trails. You can find out more on Luuk's website.

story based investigation 3: using a research database and other record-keeping software (B) with Luuk Sengers
This hands-on workshop will be held in a computer lab A220.
Now that you are about to collect piles of information, it is a good time to consider ways of collecting, keeping, searching, saving and encrypting the information on your laptop. A demonstration of (mostly free) software and an exclusive, simple and effective story based research database. You can find out more on Luuk's website.

story based investigation 4: crafting the story with Mark Hunter
This session shows you how to compose a story that hits hard and fast, and builds to a powerful end. The components of an investigative report aren’t quite the same as classic news reportage, and we’ll consider those differences and how we can use them. We’ll look at classic mistakes that writers and scenarists make, as well as techniques that make the writing process more efficient. The core of this method is continuous organisation, composition and referencing - an approach that saves time and anguish, for you and your colleagues.

using the Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of information can be a valuable tool for journalists. Rob Evans will talk about how to use freedom of information effectively, what are the pitfalls, and when there is no point using it. He will highlight examples of stories which have drawn on information obtained under the act.

SCIENCE: statistics for journalists with Nigel Hawkes
Statistics can make or break a story. Used correctly they add weight and conviction, but it's easy to be seduced by cherry-picked data and meaningless surveys. Too few journalists know where to find the data they need, or how to avoid being taken in by artful spinners. This is not a guide to statistics but a lesson in becoming street-savvy. Please visit the sense about science website for class notes.

SCIENCE: reporting global warming with Andy Rowell
Andy has written about climate change and global warming sceptics for over 15 years. He will talk about what to look out for when reporting climate change and give the inside story on one of the climate scandals earlier this year.

SCIENCE: nuclear energy with Harold Bolter and Paul Brown chaired by Damian Carrington
Two experts will be discussing the pros and cons of nuclear energy.

investigating Roma issues with Georgia Lacatus (Romania), Laszlo Ligeti (Hungary) and Kristina Magdolenova (Czech Republic). Chaired by Jake Bowers.
The panelists will be discussing the issues and challenges faced as journalists from minority communities. They will also talk about how they approach investigations within their own communities and how this affects their work and standing.

investigative rural reporting: tools and techniques with P Sainath
P Sainath will discuss his approach reporting on hunger, migration, distress and farmer suicides in rural areas.

Sunday 11 July

town hall finance: investigating local authorities with Richard Orange.
This workshop provides delegates with practical tips on how to investigate local government spending - unearthing councillors' expenses claims, gaining direct access to official paperwork dealing with contracts and invoices submitting by consultants, PFI 'partners' and favoured 'clients', challenging excessive Town Hall secrecy and reviewing the current law regarding 'commercial confidentiality' versus the 'taxpayers right to know'.

understanding public accounts a demo with Sally Gainsbury
This course will take you through a classic UK budget statement and book showing where the bodies are hidden, how to decode jargon and what questions to ask. It will explain the fundamentals of reporting public finance and how to avoid mistakes and spin.

how to read NHS accounts a demo with Sally Gainsbury
While the NHS may not be the biggest area of public spending, it is certainly one of the most politically contentious, with politicians of all hues keen to avoid been seen to cut it. This session teaches you how to investigate where the £100bn spent on the NHS goes and what the taxpayer gets for their money.

practical communication security and privacy: parts 1 and 2
How do you marry information and communication technology with the need for security and privacy? Threads can be overwhelming with censorship, monitoring and filtering of communication; spyware that turns computers and mobile phones into a slave devices; the confiscation and destruction of information; attacks on internet servers.

Fortunately there are means and tools to improve your security and privacy. Over two sessions we will look at what you can do and give practical advice on how to manage your computer and communication maximising security and privacy. We will use guides and programs from the 'security in a box' toolkit
to address how to:

• remain anonymous and bypass censorship on the internet
• keep online communication private, so it cannot be altered in transit and only you and people you communicate with can read it
• destroy sensitive information so nobody can read it
• recover from loss of information
• protect your computer from malware (like viruses or spying software) and hackers, the intruders who can gain control over your computer through the internet connection
• protect your information from physical threats, like robbery or equipment destruction

covert filming with a Sky News' undercover reporter
Sky's undercover reporter will talk about how he approaches assignments, the dangers faced and tools to help you go undercover.

video investigations with Paul Moreira
Paul will show clips from his film "Afghanistan: On the dollar trail" to illustrate how to find concrete and simple leads for your story and how to stick to them. In the case of this documentary is was a statement by USAID about the number of schools they built in Afghanistan. Paul examines how he stubbornly pursued his leads to show all the details of the real investigation as well as some handy tips for working in dangerous areas.

taking on the pharmaceuticals with Luc Herman
Luc will be discussing how he approached his reporting on the pharmaceutical industry and the obstacles he had to overcome. He will show how to get past the PR machine and uncover the stories.

winning the World Cup - it won't be the footballers with Andrew Jennings
Andrew Jennings discusses how to investigate international sports federations.

seeing through the web of spin – which health research findings can we trust with Prof Doug Altman
With so much information out there about health findings, how do you separate the facts from PR? Professor Doug Altman will guide you through the spin and show you how to report accurately on health research.

computer assisted reporting (CAR)

demos
Many of the advanced computer-assisted reporting techniques allow us to find stories we might otherwise miss. In this demo you will see how statistics, mapping, open-source software, social network analysis and web tools can expand your CAR skills. While the demo sessions are not hands-on, you'll learn how these tools are expanding the reach of investigative reporting.

course complexity
The CAR classes are offered at two levels, beginner (B) and advanced (A). Instructors will assume participants have the following skills before beginning each session:

beginner (B)
No computer-assisted reporting skills are needed for this course, but participants should be comfortable with Windows, using a mouse etc. The excel and access courses are sequenced, so participants should not take excel 2 without completing excel 1, nor access 2 without completing access 1.

advanced (A)
Participants should be familiar with using spreadsheets, database managers and analysing databases of government documents and records. Instructors will assume participants possess online search skills. Completing the beginner course will prepare you for any of the advanced classes.

CAR workshops

CAR intro (B), demo
What is computer-assisted reporting? How can reporters benefit from CAR skills? Digging in institutional databases can take your investigative skills to a new level. In this class, participants learn about the tools of CAR and see examples of how it can enhance their reporting. In addition to demonstrations, there will be time to ask questions in this session.

excel 1: the power of data analysis for stories (B), hands-on
Data is everywhere – from government computers to websites. This course introduces data analysis using Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheets can help reporters find story ideas in the data. Participants will learn basic calculations, rates, ratios and analytic tools that generate story ideas. Class handout: excel quick tips.

excel 2: finding patterns in the data (B) hands-on
The second spreadsheet course covers built-in analytical tools, such as sorting, filtering, chart creation that help reporters quickly find great stories within databases.

excel 3: summarising your data for the big picture (B) hands-on
To complete your spreadsheet toolkit, learn how to make pivot tables that will summarise trends in your data.

excel 4: applying statistics for journalists (A), hands-on
You’ve learned about the power of statistics in previous sessions, now begin using them for story tips. Reporters comfortable with spreadsheets will find that many stats can be done using excel. This session takes participants through cross-tabulations and regression analysis using a spreadsheet, and shows how reporters find stories with these techniques.

importing data to excel (B) hands on
The web is flooding with data, but before it can be analysed, it needs to be transferred to a computer. Here, participants will be introduced to different methods of data transfer from web pages and PDF files using Microsoft excel. Instructors will also demonstrate advanced web scraping.

finding people online (A) hands-on
This course introduces various advanced and lesser-known search methods for finding investigative sources. Find whistleblowers and experts in esoteric fields using a number of methods that can help both improve accuracy while saving time during lengthy investigations. Participants are introduced to the ‘hidden web’ and other subscription, free, and non-indexed sources (including directories and archives) that can help in advanced online search. The application of various social applications will be demonstrated and their application to the field of investigative journalism will be explored. Class handout: finding contributors.

access 1: understanding databases (B) hands-on
Spreadsheets are a great way to get started with CAR. But what happens when that dataset gets a little too big, or your analysis too complex? That's when it's time to move to a database manager like Microsoft Access. This class will introduce the basics of working with databases, including basic queries, filtering and sorting.

access 2: digging for the story (B) hands-on
The second Access course continues by introducing more complex analytical tools and techniques. The session will cover grouping, counting, summing and other aggregate functions.

access 3: joining databases for deeper analysis (B) hands-on
Basic analytical techniques only go so far when you have multiple datasets to work with. The third class in the database series introduces the real power of relational databases. In this session, you will learn how to take multiple tables of data and stitch them together to find hidden gems that make a great story.

CAR: questions and answers (B)
So you've completed much of the CAR training, but you still have questions and concerns. Can't remember how to do a pivot table? Wonder how executing a database join will help you discover a story? Then this session is for you. Using a Q&A format, instructors will review any of the CAR skills taught in the summer school. Come with questions.

scraping 101
Introduction to data scraping is and what it can offer journalists using examples from scraperwiki and others to show where it works well and where it doesn't. How to do very basic scrapes (maybe using one of the online tools, or similar). This is designed to help people to get the concept - and we will advise on where to turn for for more complex scrapes!

internet 101 (B), hands-on
Learn the best practices for the most effective and efficient internet searching. This class will take you through the basics of search engines, directories, social networking sites and internet skills that all reporters use in their hunts for sources, data and stories.

internet search: beyond Google (B), hands-on
Google is good, but if that’s what you’re relying on for finding documents and data, then you could be missing important information. Learn how to find information by mining the deep web.

mapping for stories 1 (A) hands-on
You’ve seen how Google maps can quickly show the geography behind the numbers. Learn how to make a basic interactive map from a list of addresses with help from Google maps. Class handout: creating a one-layer map.

mapping for stories 2 (A) hands-on
Mapping as a reporting tool is exploding onto new websites. This session will introduce you to geographical information systems that produce statistical maps and other visualisations. Learn how to use ArcView to analyse data geographically to dig deeper into your reporting. Class handout: making quick online maps.

My SQL 1, 2 and 3 (A) hands-on
This is a three-part introduction to the free, open-source database MySQL. Think of it as Microsoft access on steroids: quite a bit more powerful, despite the fact that it’s completely free. Section one will be cover the basics of MySQL: the MySQL database environment, understanding client/server architecture, basic SQL. Section two will cover more advanced topics, such as importing data, exporting data, more advanced SQL commands. The final section will explore the power of joining tables, a reporting tool that can’t be done with a spreadsheet.

newsgathering online (B) hands-on
Learn how to streamline your newsgathering in a world of information overload. This practical lab will explore various free sources for online news, spanning ‘push’, ‘pull’ and ‘push-pull’ technologies. It will also explore search theory, aggregated news, and personalised syndication in online newsgathering. Automated news discovery via RSS feeds (and their application across active and static sources) will be explored, as well as advanced filtration of syndicated content. This practical lab will introduce those cutting edge technologies (including real-time search) that offer more and more sophisticated means of turning your laptop into an up-to-the-minute, personalised wire service. Class handout: newsgathering.

programming: the basics - 1, (B) hands-on
There's a lot of CAR you can do with no programming skills thanks to the extraordinary free tools on the web. Sometimes, though, it can be handy to get data to do exactly what you want it to. That's where a computer program can help. This tutorial assumes no prior understanding of programming. It will introduce basic programming concepts such as strings, arrays, and blocks, and how to implement them in the of object-oriented language Ruby. By the end of the class you'll be able to write a program which opens and reads from a csv file and writes text output.

programming: an introduction to web scraping - 2, (B) hands-on
You must attend the first programming class (programming: the basics - 1, (B) hands-on) to be able to benefit from this class. There is a lot of interesting data floating about on the web. But how do you get hold of it? This class will introduce you to some of the Ruby libraries that can help you extract data from HTML pages. We'll start with an introduction to the Document Object Model or DOM, the concept that underpins the way all HTML pages are written. Once we're familiar with concepts such as elements and CSS attributes, we'll look at scraping data out of a local page, and move on to grabbing a page off the web itself.

social network analysis (A) demo
Journalists often notice how various groups differ from the rest of the society in terms of sex, age, income level, etc. This course introduces the use of methods that enable us to examine the social structure inside a group and between that group and society. It is now possible for a reporter to describe who has the most powerful connections in a community and how business boards are connected through interlocking directorships. Class handout: social networking tools.

latest web tools for posting data and visualisation (A)
In most newsrooms, time and money are hard to come by. We'll show you some free tools to use for doing basic CAR and doing online visualisation of data.

story based investigation 3: using a research database and other record-keeping software (B), hands on with Luuk Sengers
This workshop is part of story based investigation stream 1-4 (Room AG08).
Now that you are about to collect piles of information, it is a good time to consider ways of collecting, keeping, searching, saving and encrypting the information on your laptop. A demonstration of (mostly free) software and an exclusive, simple and effective story based research database. You can find out more on Luuk's website.

web detective with Paul Myers
Paul specialises in internet research and will teach you how to get the most out of the web.

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