Journalists and advocates for open government gathered at the seventh annual Wisconsin Watchdog Awards to celebrate efforts to keep the public informed while vowing to remain vigilant in the face of pushback from politicians.
Category: WisWatch Blog
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Wisconsin’s ‘news deserts’ hurt our democracy — but you can help
News deserts are geographical areas or socioeconomic groups that are parched of fresh, important local news, whether it’s a result of the shuttering of neighborhood newspapers, downsizing and the limited resources of news outlets or a lack of coverage of particular topics. Help WCIJ identify news deserts in Wisconsin by writing to me at msato@wisconsinwatch.org.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
‘Watchdog 101 Workshop’ will equip students and early-career journalists with key investigative reporting skills
High school and college journalists and young professional journalists are invited to a special investigative reporting workshop being offered March 30 as part of this year’s Wisconsin Watchdog Awards event. Admission is free.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names ‘Opee’ winners
Two citizens, two journalists, one fired government worker and one small but gutsy Wisconsin newspaper are among the recipients of the 2016-17 Openness Awards, or Opees, bestowed annually by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. The awards, announced in advance of national Sunshine Week (sunshineweek.org), March 12-18, recognize extraordinary achievement in the cause of open government.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Gilman Halsted, retired Wisconsin Public Radio reporter, named Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog
You’re invited Register: Online registration for the 2017 Wisconsin Watchdog Awards reception and dinner When: Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m. reception and 6 p.m. dinner Where: The Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St. Ticket price: $60. Proceeds benefit the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, participation of young journalists in the event and a special investigative […]
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award nominations sought from the public
Nominations are being sought for the seventh annual Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award, recognizing an individual’s extraordinary contributions to open government or investigative journalism in Wisconsin.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism stands by story on lead testing protocols after DNR request for corrections
Nine months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned against flushing water systems before testing for lead, the state DNR had not passed that advice on to public water systems in Wisconsin. Our story examined that delay.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
We take facts seriously at Wisconsin Watch. Here’s why.
An integral step in our process happens after a reporter finishes a story but before the story reaches our readers’ eyes: fact-checking.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Reflecting on the loss of David Gilkey — photojournalist, artist, tender soul
NPR photojournalist David P. Gilkey was killed June 5, 2016 while on assignment in Afghanistan. WCIJ’s multimedia director Coburn Dukehart was his former editor and friend. She remembers him here.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
After chaotic year, open records advocates cheer progress, honor attorney Robert J. Dreps as Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog
Victories in open government, spearheaded by investigative journalism and citizen activism in a year of unprecedented attacks on government transparency, were celebrated by journalists, members of the public and champions of public records laws at the sixth annual Watchdog Awards Wednesday evening in Madison.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
For sale: Half a cow, one trout, one faucet and 1,000 wool balls
They’ve traveled 1,000 miles across Wisconsin, drawing attention to important issues affecting the quality and supply of our state’s water. Now, four sculptures crafted by artist Carrie Roy are headed for the next stage in their adventure: They’re for sale.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Investigative reporting workshop aims to help students, young journalists sharpen skills
High school and college journalists and young professional journalists are invited to a special investigative reporting workshop being offered April 20 as part of this year’s Wisconsin Watchdog Awards event.