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Workshop Registration
The Reynolds Center has announced its 2009-10 free workshop schedule.
Select a workshop and register from the drop-down menu below.
Online Seminars
The Reynolds Center registration for Fall 2009 free online seminars.
Hooked on Kindle
By Chris Roush
Tracking the Business Behind the Tomato
By Jonathan Higuera
Five Questions with Bill Choyke
By Jonathan Higuera
Finding the Economy's Silver Lining
By Dick Weiss
Double Whammy: Oil and Housing
By Jennifer Hopfinger
Five Questions with...Doug Smith
By Kanupriya Vashisht
Associate editor Kanupriya Vashisht speaks with Fox investigative reporter Doug Smith. To view Smith's in-depth investigative story on bankruptcy fraud, click here.
1 When you get tipped about an idea for an investigative business story, as a broadcast reporter what are the things you need to consider before pursuing it?
Since we are not a business channel like CNBC, we want to make sure any business story has wide appeal. If the answer is yes, then we work to verify the facts and obtain any public records that might exist.
2 What is the biggest challenge of being a broadcast reporter with an investigative business beat?
Since I’m not a business reporter, before I can move forward on any story, I need to
familiarize myself with the issues. In essence, I become a student to educate myself on the topic.
3The camera usually tends to shut people up. How do you make them open up, especially if they are offenders?
I try to persuade them it’s in their own best interest to talk and tell their side of the story. If they have nothing to hide, why wouldn’t they want to talk? Most people are media-savvy enough to realize if we run the story, “no comment” might make them appear guilty.
4How do you insure accuracy and thoughtful inquiry in a medium that thrives on immediacy and visual impact?
As an investigative reporter, my stories are not rushed to air. Some take many months to put together. To ensure accuracy, I’ll write the story, read it, submit it to my news director, re-write it with my producer, fact check the story, and then send it to the station attorney. After the story is edited, a group of us, including the news director, will watch it to ensure accuracy.
5What advice would you have for broadcast reporters pondering the possibility of doing investigative work?
You must have a passion for it because you’ll meet a lot of truth-challenged people. Some of the best tips happen after five o’clock and after hours surveillance is necessary.
FOX 13 investigative reporter Doug Smith is dedicated to uncovering corruption, fraud, and government waste.
The Reynolds Center has announced its 2009-10 free workshop schedule.
Select a workshop and register from the drop-down menu below.
The Reynolds Center registration for Fall 2009 free online seminars.
By Chris Roush
Tracking the Business Behind the Tomato
By Jonathan Higuera
Five Questions with Bill Choyke
By Jonathan Higuera
Finding the Economy's Silver Lining
By Dick Weiss
Double Whammy: Oil and Housing
By Jennifer Hopfinger
Five Questions with...Doug Smith
By Kanupriya Vashisht
Associate editor Kanupriya Vashisht speaks with Fox investigative reporter Doug Smith. To view Smith's in-depth investigative story on bankruptcy fraud, click here.
1 When you get tipped about an idea for an investigative business story, as a broadcast reporter what are the things you need to consider before pursuing it?
Since we are not a business channel like CNBC, we want to make sure any business story has wide appeal. If the answer is yes, then we work to verify the facts and obtain any public records that might exist.
2 What is the biggest challenge of being a broadcast reporter with an investigative business beat?
Since I’m not a business reporter, before I can move forward on any story, I need to
familiarize myself with the issues. In essence, I become a student to educate myself on the topic.
3The camera usually tends to shut people up. How do you make them open up, especially if they are offenders?
I try to persuade them it’s in their own best interest to talk and tell their side of the story. If they have nothing to hide, why wouldn’t they want to talk? Most people are media-savvy enough to realize if we run the story, “no comment” might make them appear guilty.
4How do you insure accuracy and thoughtful inquiry in a medium that thrives on immediacy and visual impact?
As an investigative reporter, my stories are not rushed to air. Some take many months to put together. To ensure accuracy, I’ll write the story, read it, submit it to my news director, re-write it with my producer, fact check the story, and then send it to the station attorney. After the story is edited, a group of us, including the news director, will watch it to ensure accuracy.
5What advice would you have for broadcast reporters pondering the possibility of doing investigative work?
You must have a passion for it because you’ll meet a lot of truth-challenged people. Some of the best tips happen after five o’clock and after hours surveillance is necessary.
FOX 13 investigative reporter Doug Smith is dedicated to uncovering corruption, fraud, and government waste.