Post Classifieds
Investigative reporting panel gathers world-class journalists
By Jennifer Waters
On October 17, 2012
Students who are looking to become investigative reporters have the opportunity to
speak with prize-winning and notable journalists.
Investigative Post, a non-profit investigative reporting center focused on Buffalo and
Western New York, will be hosting a panel of experts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the
Burchfield Penney Art Center auditorium.
This free event is set to engage students planning to enter the field of
communications, particularly investigative reporting, by discussing the challenges
and opportunities for investigative journalism in the 21st Century.
"Journalism students will have a chance to listen to some very accomplished people
in that field talk about the state of the field," said Investigative Post Editor and
Executive Director Jim Heaney. "The panel will talk about the present and future of
the craft."
Although Investigative Post is hosting the event, the panel is composed of leading
investigative reporters who will be talking about various tools available to reporters
in the production of stories.
Panelists include Heaney, David Cay Johnston, president of Investigative Reporters
and Editors, Jeff Woodard, news director of WGRZ, and Kevin Connor, director of the
Public Accountability Initiative.
Mary Pasciak, education reporter for the Buffalo News and Buffalo State adjunct
professor, was also just added to the list.
"I'll be talking about some of the new tools available to investigative reporters
and how the landscape has changed a lot," she said. "Things like live blogging and
different social media have changed the way journalists do their jobs. This enables
reporters to connect with more people and in different ways."
Heaney said he hopes the panel discussion provides the public with an eye-opening
opportunity to learn about and discuss major obstacles and opportunities.
Debra Goodman, Investigative Post director of development, said Investigative Post
is looking toward partnering with Buffalo colleges in the near future.
"We'd love to work with Buffalo State, the communications department is fantastic.
Actually, we've been working with Annemarie Franczyk to tape the discussion for
students who can't make it," she said.
The partnership would utilize colleges and their research to build stories, Goodman
said. The colleges they're beginning to work with are St. Bonaventure University, the
University at Buffalo and Medaille College.
Heaney said Investigative Post will provide students with opportunities for hands-
on experience like internships and a collaboration with the academic departments
outside of communications.
"I have long felt that local colleges and universities have a lot of expertise to tap and
we should collaborate with them to produce in-depth, high quality research," he
said.
For students in the field, Heaney said the panel is a rare opportunity to take
advantage of.
"This is the first time in recent history where there will be this type of a community-
wide discussion in Buffalo," Heaney said.
Pasciak said she will also be talking about the ways she cultivated sources, the
difficulties of getting information from government officials and Freedom of
Information.
"When reporters do their jobs effectively, a lot of the time the reaction from
government is to do everything they can to keep it under wraps. It's important for
reporters to respond to that effectively," she said.
Pasciak advised students learning to be investigative reporters that there is usually
a reason people are avoiding speaking to the press and that, generally, it's a good
indication there is something to push harder for.
"The thing to do is persevere. If there's a story worth reporting, you have to keep
going after it until you get it," Pasciak said.
Jennifer Waters can be reached by email at waters.record@live.com.
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