Attorney Robert J. Dreps, a champion of open government who has represented news organizations in groundbreaking cases for three decades, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award.
Category: WisWatch Blog
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Wisconsin open government advocates hit the road to boost public’s understanding and use of open records laws
Residents across Wisconsin are invited to free events exploring the importance of open records laws, and how to use them to obtain critical information about the actions of government.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
A novel idea: Beloit author donates proceeds to support investigative reporting
Sometimes, when author Tom Warren researches issues for his books, he feels the pull to become an advocate. And that helps explain why, for the past two years, Warren has mailed a check to the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
Professor supports investigative journalism training for students
The types of news stories Sharon Dunwoody finds most compelling — and most crucial in 2015 — dig deeper than “he-said-she-said” truth claims; they use data to analyze and corroborate or refute sources’ claims on important issues.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
Veteran journalist hopes to keep government accountable
Dick Record witnessed first-hand what he says is the “deterioration” of government transparency during his 40-year journalism career in Wisconsin.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award nominations sought from the public
Nominations are being sought for the sixth annual Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award, recognizing an individual’s extraordinary contributions to open government or investigative journalism in Wisconsin.
Posted inBlogs, WisWatch Blog
State Integrity Investigation gives D grade to Wisconsin
The Center for Public Integrity’s State Integrity Investigation report, which provides state-by-state data on laws and practices that deter corruption and promote accountability and transparency, will launch Nov. 9.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Headlines, photo, story summaries inadvertently posted on WisconsinWatch.org
Update: This report was published on Sept. 20. Due to a technical error, on Sept. 13 the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism inadvertently published headlines, a summary and photo on its website, WisconsinWatch.org. The materials, which have been removed, are part of an upcoming report about the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The report will be […]
Posted inJustice & Safety, Precious Lives, WisWatch Blog
LISTEN: What Young People Know About Guns
On this week’s episode of Precious Lives, a two-year project examining gun violence among young people in the Milwaukee area and statewide, reporters Kate Golden and Sean Kirkby visit the Madison area’s Allied Drive Boys and Girls Club to ask children what they know about guns. The reporters found that nearly all of the young people they talked to had some level of experience with guns.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Photos: Reporters at work, summer 2015
Center staffers on the job in a camper, at the zoo, on a bridge and with a bird.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Center director recounts media storm over open records
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Executive Director Andy Hall recounts the media’s response to the state Legislature’s proposed changes to the state’s open records law.
Posted inScott Walker's Wisconsin, WisWatch Blog
Drafting notes silent on author of open records overhaul
Sixty pages of drafting documents included only initials and partial names of legislative service agency staffers.