Fighting for Data: Journalists and Access to Public Records Ira Chinoy Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland

“Watchdog journalism”

“Public records”

“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news …

“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web

“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles

“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles Daily drama, chilling effect

“Watchdog journalism” “Public records” Data as news … … not on the Web Obstacles Daily drama, chilling effect The takeaway: A challenge to the HCI community

Computer-assisted reporting

CNS stories using databases of public records: Consumer complaints Prison violence Boating safety enforcement Train accidents Amusement rides Subprime loans Unsolved homicides Leaking underground oil storage tanks Campaign finance Lawyer discipline

Federal: Freedom of Information Act Maryland (at the state, county, and local levels): Public Information Act

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in. We don't think you'll understand the data / technology, you'll mess it up. We don't know how to do that.

We've never done that before. We don't know how to do that. It takes too long. It costs too much money for us to do it. There are confidential records mixed in. We don't think you'll understand the data / technology, you'll mess it up. We'd love to give it to you but it violates our contract with the software company. We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields Format We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields Format Cost We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields Format Cost Time We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields Format Cost Time Luck We don't know how to do that.

A Maryland Case Documentation Fields Format Cost Time Luck Data and a story We don't know how to do that.

The fear factor …

… a continuum

Other factors … Administrators, public information officers, and attorneys with inadequate training, experience, and support for handling database requests. An agency culture in which requests for records are treated as an intrusion. Inadequate budgeting to deal with public records requests. Limited repercussions for the “just say no” approach to requests.

Tactics … Information has context. Finding out about it first can help you understand what data they keep, why they keep it, how they keep it. Ask to speak directly to the staff who manage the database. Avoid second-hand exchanges of information. Know the law. Look for common ground. Explore the logic – and illogic – of baffling excuses. Understand the fears … and address them.

Strategy … Are there alternatives to case-by-case battles, well upstream of them?

Policies already require: Environmental Impact Statements Fiscal Notes Set-Aside Programs & Diversity Checklists How about: Public Records Assessments or Information Impact Statements

A challenge and an opportunity for interdisciplinary research, policy development, and new tools

Ira Chinoy Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland