Writing and reporting
馃摪 Basic Journalism
Decide what is news, find the original record, request public documents under Idaho law, interview people fairly, check claims and images, and publish without stepping into defamation.
- 1What Makes Something NewsSort real news from noise using a short set of tests editors have used for a century.11 min
- 2Primary Records and Finding the OriginalTrace a claim back to the document, data or recording it came from, and report from that instead of from someone's retelling.12 min
- 3Public Records Requests in IdahoWrite a records request that gets answered, and know your deadlines, fees and appeal rights under the Idaho Public Records Act.15 min
- 4Open Meetings Law in IdahoKnow when Idaho public bodies must meet in the open, what notice and agendas they owe you, when they can close the door, and what happens when they break the rules.13 min
- 5Interviewing and the Ground RulesPrepare for an interview, record it legally under Idaho's one-party consent law, and set clear terms for on the record, off the record and background.14 min
- 6Verifying Claims, Photos and VideoCheck a claim, an image or a video before you repeat it, using reverse image search, metadata, basic geolocation and monitored feeds.15 min
- 7Fairness, Corrections and Defamation BasicsAttribute clearly, give people a real chance to respond, fix mistakes in the open, and understand the defamation rules that apply to everyone who publishes.16 min