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

2. “Watchdog journalism”

3. “Watchdog journalism”
“Public records”

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

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

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

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

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

9. Computer-assisted reporting

23. 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

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

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

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

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

40. It costs too much money for us to do it.
We don't know how to do that.
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.

41. There are confidential records mixed in.
We don't know how to do that.
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.

42. 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.

43. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

50. 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

51. 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

53. The fear factor …

54. The fear factor …
… a continuum

55. 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.

56. 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.

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

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

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

60. Ira Chinoy Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland